TBHS first XI in pre-season Aussie tour

As cricket clubs around the country struggle to get members, South Canterbury is working hard to reverse the numbers and is enjoying some success.

In an effort to attract more interest in cricket, Timaru Boys’ High School’s first XI is playing four games in Sydney next month.

TBHS sports director Gavin Miller said the trip would be a pre-season development tour for the squad of 14 year 10-13 players.

‘‘We’re trying to build the profile back up with rewards,’’ Miller said.

First XI captain Taine Cordell-Hull, 16, has been playing cricket since he was 7. He wanted to continue playing whether there were rewards involved or not as he liked the challenge of the game.

Team member TJ Lensley, 18, thought players should push through the hard times and not give up playing while Hugh Cameron, 16, thought the trip would encourage others to play as they never knew where it would take them.

South Canterbury Cricket chief executive Mark Medlicott said players would often play for the first year at high school, after a history in the junior teams, then dropped out. So there was a gap between junior players and seniors.

‘‘Senior teams are holding it together because for 15 years the juniors have not come through.’’

He attributed the losses to young people having so many choices especially in individual sports or interests.

South Canterbury Cricket clubs have 74 teams playing competition and 20 in interfirm.

Timaru Boys’ High School used to have 13 cricket teams. A few years ago it sunk to three and now there were five, Medlicott said.

‘‘In an ideal world we would get them through to the under-17s then get them for the club and they would keep playing.’’

JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Timaru Boys’ High School cricket team, from left, back row, Fletcher Rhodes, Flynn Linton and Toby Clemett; middle row, Taine Cordell-Hull, Alex Doyle, Balkvishna Uniyal and Caleb Donaldson; front row, Jayden Williams, Hugh Cameron and TJ Lensley.