State blitz bowls over cricket kids

FROM King Island to Port Arthur, St Helens to Zeehan and everywhere in between, Tasmania’s cricketers have spent the past two days taking part in the MyState Community Blitz.

The event involved 26 Tigers, Roar and Hobart Hurricanes players split into 10 groups, visiting 51 schools and nine local cricket clubs.

Tying in with the Play Cricket Week campaign, Cricket Tasmania’s aim is to get children of all ages participating in various programs to re-establish its message as the state’s only full-time professional code.

Hobart Hurricanes fan, community and event manager Chris Rawson said the event had been well received.

“It’s been unreal, the schools have loved it,” he said.

“It was about realising our vision, or starting to own it, of being Tasmania’s team, we needed to get out and embrace the people of Tasmania, all over Tasmania.

“The impact it has on communities is huge and something we are really keen to do more of in the future.”

Programs starting from The Captain’s Challenge — a basic fundamental-skill program with a stress ball — to the hugely successful MILO in2CRICKET and MILO T20Blast saw thousands of school students take part.

“It’s something the regions have been screaming out for, for ages,” Mr Rawson said.