Search for rising cricketers starts in schools

File photo.

The first signs of the new cricket season unfolding, will be visible at a significant number of Western Bay of Plenty primary schools, when the Western Bay of Plenty Schools Cricket Awareness program kicks off at the end of August.

The formation of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association in 2010 has included the introduction of a junior cricket pathway.

Initial small steps into taking the game into Western Bay primary schools, has seen the program grow to more than 4000 Year 1 to Year 4 youngsters being introduced to cricket in Term Three of the school year.

The Cricket Awareness program focuses on the basics of playing the game such as holding the bat, catching the ball and the rudiments of bowling.

The Western Bay Cricket development team deliver a 45 minute session to attentive young audiences, many of whom who have never held a bat or thrown a ball before.

WBOPCA Cricket Manager Don Warner says many of the potential young cricket recruits have had minimal contact with the game of cricket, however they quickly respond to the basics delivered by the program's qualified instructors.

'The emphasis is always about having fun, with the volume of laughter and number of smiles, taken as our measure of the effectiveness of the program".

School registrations are coming in rapid numbers, with the first the cricket awareness program kicking off at Selwyn Ridge School on the August 28.

Running in tandem with the schools introduction sessions is the NZ Cricket Superstars Academy. The Superstars Academy is an after-school cricket induction program which follows on from the school cricket visits.

Western Bay of Cricket runs the eight week module of basic cricket instruction starting in Mid-October. This seasons Western Bay Superstars program will be run at Gordon Spratt Reserve in Papamoa, Pemberton Park, Blake Park and at Fergusson Park on Saturday mornings.

"While Superstars continue to provide the basics of the game it also provides kiwi-cricket modified games. The aim is to provide a pathway to Saturday morning division two and three competitions after the Christmas holiday break," says Don.

Further info on both the WBOPCA Cricket Awareness program and the Superstars Academy is as simple as ringing Don Warner on 021 307 081.

For Further Information Contact Don Warner WBOP Cricket Association – Cricket Manager 021307081 or wbopca@gmail.com

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