Cricket club reeling after theft

The Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Cricket Association has been bowled over and left scrambling after its clubrooms were broken into and equipment for its junior players stolen.

The association’s indoor centre at Donnelly Park, in Levin, was burgled sometime Friday night, with thieves taking more than $15,000 worth of gear and electronics.

Six Kookaburra bags, full of batting pads, gloves, helmets, bats and wicket keeping gear were taken. The association’s office was also cleared out, with a new 50-inch television, Chromebook, laptop, tablet, bluetooth speaker and earphones also plundered.

The association dates back to 1875, and its reach starts at Paekakariki and extends all the way to Foxton, encompassing Paraparaumu, Waikanae, O¯ taki, Levin and Shannon.

Community and pathways coordinator Chad Law said the association would rely on its reserve stocks to get through the last three weeks of junior cricket.

Law said it would be difficult for the thieves to move the items and urged the community to keep an eye out for any second-hand junior Kookaburra equipment on the market.

‘‘It’s pretty disappointing. We’re a not-for-profit organisation who exist for the benefit of the community and to develop young players,’’ Law said.

‘‘They forced their way in and would have spent some time here to take what they did. It’s a small town and there’s a lot of people keeping their eyes out.

‘‘We need a bit of luck, but we’re hopeful we can recover some of it.’’

All the association’s files were on the laptop, which has been stolen, and they are not backed up.’’

A police spokesperson said they were making inquiries.