Students shine at cup competition

Cricketing youngsters have been put through their paces this week in a grassroots initiative at Pt Chevalier’s Walker Park.

The Student Horizons Twenty20 Cup, organised by Auckland Cricket, gives schoolboys a chance to warm up before the school season kicks off again next month.

The competition is in its sixth year and still going strong with eight college teams including Auckland Grammar School taking part this year.

Grammar took home the cup in 2013 and is looking forward to defending the title.

The school’s First XI returned from a successful Australia Cricket Tour in December, organised by Student Horizons, and is in top shape for the coming secondary school competitions.

Student Horizons managing director Jamie Wansey says the cup competition brings out the best in some of the country’s top young players.

‘‘It’s just gone from strength to strength. Every year we’re getting top quality teams in the tournament. It gets them to unleash their abilities in a preseason tournament so they are on form for the school season.’’

The organisation would love to extend the tournament to more schools in the future if larger facilities are found, he says.

Auckland Cricket development coordinator Hament Kasanji says the prestigious tournament starts off the student cricket year on a strong note.

‘‘Auckland Cricket is keen to continue its success and is proud to be managing the competition,’’ he says.