Cricketers head out to Slovenia
Club forging links with European opponents
While Scotland’s international cricketers dream of taking on teams like England, Australia and India or a regular bases, one local club is setting its sights on promoting the sport in Europe.
Next weekend (July 21), Callander CC will be heading on a seven-day trip to Slovenia and Croatia supported by players from St Modans and Westquarter and Redding.
The team will be playing matches in Croatian capital Zagreb, Mezica in Slovenia as well as the the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana where they will also put on a coaching session for youngsters and hand over Kwik Cricket equipment for use by local schools.
The tour came about through a newly-founded friendship between Callander CC captain Barry McGeachy and Zabarji KK captain Maxwell Charlesworth who are forging new links between Scottish and Slovenian cricket. With both Cricket Scotland and the Slovenian Cricket Association endorsing and giving their backing to the tour it has opened up new opportunities for both Callander and Zabarji, two similar clubs.
Callander only started up in 2013 and vice-chairperson Kyle Allan said: “This is a huge step and achievement for our small club. It’s an exciting time and everyone involved at my club is thrilled about the opportunities this will open up.”
In March both clubs officially announced that they have twinned and become sister clubs and the Callander tour will be the first in an annual event with Žabarji hoping to visit Scotland in the future. From this partnership the clubs aim to set up an annual junior exchange programme giving opportunities for under 16s to experience a different culture while playing cricket in a new environment.
One player has already sampled cricket in the colours of Callander and Zabarji. While attending Stirling University, Graeme Etheridge played a number of games for Callander and after finishing his studies he lived in Slovenia where he played for Zabarji.
“Looking back almost a year to when I played my first match in Slovenia, I could never have imagined we would be where we are today,” said Graham.
“To have a tour organised is fantastic and to have officially twinned two clubs that I love playing for is absolutely amazing. Planning an annual tour and an exchange programme is almost beyond belief and I am incredibly proud to have been involved in this process and I can’t wait to see the great things the future has in store.”
Anyone interested in cricket in Callander, contact skipper Barry McGeachy at 01877 331521 or email to callandercricketclub@ gmail.com.