Justicia ShipenaÂ
Namibia’s young cricketers took centre stage over the past weekend, as the 2025 Nashua Junior Franchise League began with matches across Windhoek.
This year, the league expanded to include an under-12 category, bringing the total to nine teams across U12, U14, and U19.
Franchises include Grove Mall, Ashburton Investments, STADIO Higher Education, and Naankuse, with Green Enterprise Solutions joining for the first time.
The action started on Friday, 9 May, with the U12 Ashburton Eagles beating Grove Mall Wildcats by 9 wickets at the High Performance Oval.
The Wildcats posted 71/6, but the Eagles chased it down in 10 overs, reaching 72/1. Dian Holland-Muter scored an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls.
He was named Player of the Match and also received the Big Boundary Award and the Leading Run Scorer title.
Elvis Geelbooi had the best bowling economy and earned the Leading Wicket Taker cap. Rilano Julie received the Outstanding Fielder title.
At the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, the U19 Grove Mall Wildcats defeated the Green Eagles by 6 wickets. The Eagles managed 90/6 in 20 overs.
The Wildcats chased it in 16 overs, finishing on 92/4. Markus van Heerden took 2/18 and was named Player of the Match.
He also claimed the Leading Wicket Taker title. Tiaan van der Merwe scored 36 and became the leading run scorer.
Junior Taanyanda got the Big Boundary Award. Lucas Kruger was named Outstanding Fielder.
On Saturday, 10 May, Naankuse Jets started their U19 campaign with a 5-wicket win over Green Eagles.
The Eagles scored 114/6. Jets captain Michael Muller led the chase with 50 out of 40 balls. Abri Oberholzer bowled 2/12 and was named Player of the Match and Leading Wicket Taker.
Muller also got the Big Boundary Award. Aloyz Kazimbu was named Outstanding Fielder.
In the U14 division, Grove Mall Wildcats won both their games. First, they beat the STADIO Jets by 60 runs.
The Wildcats posted 131/7 and bowled the Jets out for 71 in 13.2 overs. Alex Parker scored 42 and took home Player of the Match, Leading Run Scorer, and Big Border honours.
Nico Roos was named Outstanding Fielder. Hendre van Niekerk took 3/11 and earned the Leading Wicket Taker cap.
Later in the day, the Wildcats faced the Ashburton Eagles. They scored 141/3 and bowled out the Eagles for 86, winning by 55 runs.
Gillmer Horn hit 81 off 65 balls. He was named Player of the Match and U14 Leading Run Scorer. Coetzee Sales won the Big Boundary Award.
Tapiwa Kaisi was named Outstanding Fielder.
In the U12 division, the Green Jets beat Ashburton Eagles by 15 runs. The Jets scored 151/5. The Eagles replied with 136/7.
Ethan Pearce bowled 2/18 with 17 dot balls and earned Player of the Match. Phillip Nel scored 47 from 38 balls and received the Big Boundary Award.
Elvis Geelbooi got the Outstanding Fielder award for a direct hit.
On Sunday, 11 May, STADIO Jets played Ashburton Eagles in U14. The Jets batted first and scored 112/3.
The Eagles chased it down with two balls to spare, winning by five wickets. Riego Julie top-scored with 36. JW Junius was named Player of the Match.
Francois Siepker got the Outstanding Fielder award. Coetzee Sales earned the Big Boundary cap.
In the final U19 game of the weekend, Naankuse Jets beat Grove Mall Wildcats by 13 runs. The Jets posted 158/4, the highest score of the weekend. Adriaan Coetzee made 55 from 44 balls and took one wicket.
He was named Player of the Match. JP Blignaut took four wickets and became the leading wicket-taker.
Tiaan van der Merwe ended the weekend as the U19 Leading Run Scorer with 102 runs. Ben Brassel earned both the Big Boundary and Outstanding Fielder awards.
