First female stadium announcer hopes to excite crowds at Wanderers
Poppy is ready to ignite and excite in a bid to attract more female audiences to the game of cricket.
Poppy Ntshongwana’s voice will be the one you hear when attending cricket matches at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Joburg this season.
In a move to attract more female audiences and enhance the game further, the former 5FM radio jock has been tasked with igniting enthusiasm in those present and informing them.
Marketing and communications manager at Bizhub Highveld Lions Wanele Mngomezulu spoke highly of the incumbent stadium announcer.
He said her charismatic voice will be unmissable at this season’s CSA T20 competition home games, which commenced on April 5.
“You can’t help but love Poppy. She inspires, ignites and is informed about the game. She will be an asset, that is for sure,” said Mngomezulu.
“Presently for this season’s home games, we have contracted Poppy to be our stadium voice: a warm, friendly character who I believe is a super signing for us.
“We welcome Poppy to the Central Gauteng Lions family. This is also in line with our strategy of welcoming a more female audience into cricket.”
Ntshongwana could not hide her excitement as she recalled getting the news.
“Wow! I am so excited. I can’t quite believe it,” she said.
“It is a big deal for me and I would like to say that it’s an absolute honour and I am excited about the challenge.
“It’s T20 cricket, which means that it will be fast-paced, energetic and exciting, and I hope that as the DJ and stadium announcer I can bring that same energy to the cricket and this particular format. So I am super excited and delighted to be on board to see how it all unfolds. Thank you, Lions, for the opportunity!”
