The event aimed to welcome the Dragons’ team to the new Cricket South Africa (CSA) Division 1 structure, unveil the new kit and official partners and engage the locals to rally behind the team to ensure a sustainable cricketing pipeline all around the province.

North West Cricket officially announced that the JB Marks Municipality will be taking over the naming rights sponsorship of the stadium. The home stadium of the Dragons will officially change from Senwes Park to the JB Marks Oval and an official stadium unveiling will be communicated at a later stage.

In attendance, the Hon. Executive Mayor of the JB Marks Municipality, Mapule Mataboge said, “JB Marks Municipality has had a long-standing relationship with the union, from the time the stadium was built in the late 90s, and North West Cricket’s hosting of big tournaments and international games has always been an economic injection for the local community”.

“It is for this reason that we saw fit to come on board and support the professional team through the stadium sponsorship”, concluded Mataboge.

The president of the North West Sport Confederation, Mr. Thebe Sekoto, was also in attendance as his department has been involved from the beginning when North West Cricket started the bidding process.

“For a stronger sporting pipeline across the province, we must provide our support to the North West Cricket from grassroots level to the professional side”, said Sekoto urging attendees to   support the North West Dragons as they are currently the only professional side in the province.

Fain Sports Apparel was unveiled as the official kit sponsor of the North West Dragons, continuing a long-standing partnership with North West Cricket that started in 2017.

Fain’s Managing Director,  Shadley Ajam said that the relationship with the North West Dragons has always been a healthy one and the company is more than happy to continue providing support to the Dragons.

“We are very excited with our partnership with North West Cricket, we have had a good working relationship throughout the years. Our partnership extends to the Senwes Dragons Women, Dragons Academy and to all the junior teams and we wish all Dragons a successful 2021/2022 season”, said Ajam.

North West Cricket CEO, HP Prinsloo said, “With first-class cricket being back in the province, we are extremely excited to rally behind the team.  Playing in Cricket South Africa’s new top-tier domestic competitions will bring back the pride of sport supporters all around the province”.

“For the first time in a very long time, we have a team we can call our own and players who come through our ranks will now have an option to stay home and play for the home team”, concluded Prinsloo.

The Dragons are currently preparing for their first debut tournament in Division 1 and the CSA Provincial T20 Knock Out Competition squad will be announced in due time.

North West Dragons 2021/22 squad -  Nicky van den Bergh (captain), Chad Classen, Delano Potgieter, Duan Jansen, Eben Botha, Eldred Hawken, Heino Kuhn, Jason Oakes, JD Diseko, Lesego Senokwane, Lwandiswa Zuma, Ndumiso Mvelase, Nono Pongolo, Senuran Muthusamy, Shaylen Pillay, Wesley Marshall, Dwaine Pretorius (National Contract).