Scheme to bowl over more young cricketers

Thursday 29 May 2014

A school programme is being rolled out across the Island to give around two thousand youngsters a run at playing cricket.

Jersey Cricket coaches will be teaching the sport to both primary and secondary school children during lesson time and at after-school clubs, and they hope to spot some talented young players who will step up to the crease.

Jersey Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Minty said: “We are very proud of this grass roots scheme that introduces the game of cricket to so many children who might not necessarily have the chance to experience the game.  These children may become tomorrow’s future Island players where Jersey can continue to feature on the international stage.”

The Island’s national team have enjoyed huge success this year - winning the World Cricket League 5 title in Kuala Lumpar in March and the team have been helping to raise the profile of the sport.

Mr Minty said: “The impressive trophies have been taken to school assemblies by the senior island team members who were able to tell the children a little more about how they were won. Some of these senior players were first introduced to cricket by the Jersey Schools Coaching Programme.”

The programme, which is funded by the Ana Leaf Foundation, is now in its 18^th year.

Deputy Head at Bel Royal Primary School said: “We find the coaches are excellent at delivering a progression of the skills and a game to reinforce those skills in an environment in which all pupils feel valued and are able to achieve success and development within their own individual skill sets - be that from learning the basic skills to Primary Island representative level.

“We have also taken part in the Cricket Ambassador Programme which alongside the development of the pupils is one of the latest initiatives to upskill teachers which can only benefit future progressions in Primary School Cricket.”