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Since the turn of the year, cricket in schools in the North West Cricket Union has been provided with a much needed boost.
Since the turn of the year, cricket in schools in the North West Cricket Union has been provided with a much needed boost writes Brian Allen.
In 2012, cricket in schools in the North West Cricket Union has been provided with a much needed boost. Twelve schools have recently taken part in Kwik Cricket coaching blocks, and this has witnessed 233 boys and 188 girls participating in the game on a weekly basis. Over the past few years cricket has struggled in many areas in the North West, with other more mainstream sports being catered for more by the schools. Many of the schools are now welcoming cricket back into their programmes, both as an activity for children to enjoy in their P.E. environment and as a competitive sport in which to match their skills against other schools. These schools have been preparing for the upcoming Kwik Cricket Festivals through coaching visits from the North West’s CDO Brian Allen, with the more experienced schools being sent copies of the festival’s rules with which to re-familiarise themselves.

This year’s re-introduction of the regional Kwik Cricket Festivals in the North West will provide many of the players in each school the opportunity to both partake in competitive matches and experience the showcase of a local cricket ground. Over the past years Coleraine has been the only festival that has remained in operation with Strabane CC, Eglinton CC and Limavady CC to play host to their respective area’s festivals on 23rd May (Strabane CC), 24th May (Limavady CC), 25th May (Eglinton CC). Coleraine CC will host theirs on 7th June – all have 10am starts. In previous tournaments Kwik Cricket teams consisted of 8 players of which 2 must have been girls. This is no longer the case and given the enthusiasm of female participants in many primary schools in the North West, this year’s festivals will see both teams of all boys and all girls competing in single sex tournaments alongside each other.

These tournaments will provide increased exposure for cricket and particularly for local clubs. Each participant in each tournament will be provided with a flyer that highlights the clubs that are local to them and the coaching that is available to them. These festivals are a hugely worthwhile venture and as well as being greatly enjoyed by players and spectators alike the key driving aspect of the festivals is to provide a boost to numbers playing cricket – both in schools and clubs. There are many schools that are keen to get involved in cricket on a long term basis, and it’s highly recommended that clubs work closely with their local schools and the North West CDO to create or strengthen links.

For further details on Cricket Development in the North West Cricket Union, please contact Brian Allen on brian.allen@irishcricket.org or 07736 320079.

Brian Allen