Spirit Foundation champions inclusive sport through Table Cricket partnership at Newlands
The Spirit Foundation, in proud partnership with Sporting Chance and Lord’s Taverners South Africa, will support the upcoming Table Cricket Festival on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
This inclusive sporting event will unite eight schools across the Western Cape for a day of accessible, meaningful, and joyful cricket—specially adapted for learners with disabilities.
The event forms part of the Lord’s Taverners South Africa Table Cricket Inter-Schools League, which has grown in participation, spirit, and reach. This partnership represents a powerful alignment of values for the Spirit Foundation by helping to amplify existing opportunities, building confidence, and encouraging dignity through community-led initiatives.
“This partnership allows the Spirit Foundation to extend its impact by supporting existing programmes that are already changing lives,” says Steve Palframan, Head of the Spirit Foundation’s Community Programme and former Protea cricketer.
“We’ve seen firsthand how much joy and pride this event brings to the children. The success of this day will not be possible without the cohesive and authentic relationship between the Spirit Foundation, Sporting Chance, and Lord’s Taverners South Africa. For many, Table Cricket is the only sport they can participate in. The benefits go beyond the field—it’s about identity, confidence, and inclusion.”
Eight schools will participate in the festival:
Vista Nova Primary School (Rondebosch)
St Joseph’s Montana Primary (Montana)
St Joseph’s Marist (Special Needs) (Rondebosch)
Filia School (Goodwood)
Astra School (Montana)
Tembalethu Primary School (Gugulethu)
Eros School (Athlone)
Jan Kriel School (joining the league for the first time) (Kuils River)
The festival will host three full rounds of league fixtures, where teams will compete using table-based cricket equipment designed to allow children of all physical disabilities to participate. The day will be filled with moments and interactions that will leave participants, supporters, and sponsors feeling even more connected by the impact of such an initiative.
Palframan adds: “The Spirit Foundation believes in partnering with purpose. We don’t just fund programmes and wait for the photo opportunity. We walk the journey with the organisations we support. It’s about strengthening what’s already working and helping it grow.”
About Table Cricket
Table Cricket is a dynamic adaptation of the traditional game, played on a table tennis table with side panels and a miniature bat and ball. Players use sliding fielders and rolling deliveries to score runs or take wickets. Initially developed in the UK by the Lord’s Taverners charity, the format allows young people with physical and intellectual disabilities to enjoy cricket in a competitive and inclusive environment. The programme was first introduced to South Africa in 2015 and has grown through local partnerships.
In 2020, the initiative was symbolically relaunched in Cape Town when cricket legends David Gower and Mike Gatting introduced the game atop Table Mountain in collaboration with Lord’s Taverners UK.
Event Details
Event: Table Cricket Festival – Inter-Schools League
Date: Tuesday, 15 April 2025
Time: 09h00 – 12h00
Venue: Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Participants: Eight schools from the Western Cape
Hosted by Sporting Chance Development Foundation and Lord’s Taverners South Africa
Supported by Spirit Foundation
Media Access
Media members are invited to attend the event and cover one of the year's most inspiring youth sporting events. Media opportunities include interviews with Steve Palframan, coaches, learners, partners, dynamic visuals, and human-interest stories.
Media who cannot attend can submit media and interview requests.
Contact
Lyndon Julius
Media & Communications Consultant
Spirit Foundation
Email:
Phone: 061 745 4257
Website: www.spiritf.org.za
Social Media: @spiritfoundation_sa
Hashtags: #SpiritFoundation #TableCricket #InclusiveSport #PartnershipWithPurpose
