Search for future stars

Programme hopes fun event will boost sport

Two local clubs are taking part in a new initiative aiming to turn cricket into one of Scotland’s mainstream sports.

All Stars Cricket is looking to inspire five to eight year-olds to take up the sport through a fun first experience of the game.

The Cricket Scotland eightweek programme begins in May and will see participating boys and girls develop their skills and make new friends in a safe and inclusive environment at one of more than 50 Scottish cricket clubs who have signed up to host and run the sessions.

Stirling County and Doune are the two local clubs taking part and registration is now open, with each child receiving a pack of cricket goodies including a cricket bat, ball, backpack, water bottle, personalised shirt and cap to keep.

There will also be a chance for youngsters to meet current Scotland internationalists as part of All Stars Cricket, which will be led by fully trained and vetted activators.

The cost of All Stars Cricket is £40 per child and the programme involves eight, one-hour sessions, starting in May. The programme is launched on the back of statistics which show just two per cent of UK children aged seven to 15 named cricket as their favourite sport and three in five youngsters did not name cricket in their top 10 sports.

Ian Shaw, Regional Participation Manager for Central, Angus, Fife and Dundee, said: “We believe All Stars Cricket could be a game- changer for the sport in Scotland. We think the programme will provide children and their parents with an outstanding first step into the sport and help create a generation of youngsters with a lifelong love of the game.

“As well as the personalised participant pack sent to each child’s door as part of an easy online registration process, All Stars Cricket involves nine out of 10 fundamental movement skills, is fun, safe and inclusive and gives the children the chance to rub shoulders with the elite players in Scotland.

“We are confident that if we get this right our clubs and sport will get a significant boost that will put cricket in Scotland into the mainstream.”

To sign up, visit www. allstarscricket.co.uk.

Howzat! Young cricketers at Mary Erskine School, Edinburgh at the All Stars launch with Nicola Wilson (Cricket Scotland Womens Participation Manager), Grant Bradburn (Scotland head coach), George Munsey (Scotland international player) and Kirsty...