Thousands sign up to be game’s next Stars
MORE than 2,000 children will take part in All-Stars Cricket in Durham this summer - more than double the number during last year’s campaign.
To celebrate this, the Durham County Cricket Board organised a special surprise for their 2,000th All-Star, who booked on the programme at Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club.
Zoe Price was visited at her home by All Stars Cricket mascot Twinkle and her All-Stars Activator at Newton Aycliffe Adam Gittins (right).
The increase of more than 140 per cent from last year is a milestone for the DCCB and the 60 local clubs running the England Cricket Board’s entry level programme this summer.
All-Stars Champion at the DCCB Darren Brown said: “We are excited to see so many kids becoming involved this year.
“It is a massive success for us to achieve such an increase in sign-ups and having more than 2,000 kids involved in All Stars Cricket in Durham this summer is tremendous.
“Seeing so many of our local clubs’ grounds full of All-Stars participants is really great.” Liam Simpson, the DCCB’s AllStars Champion, added: “This programme is the first national cricket initiative which has attracted kids at a much younger age than we used to and most of them are newcomers to the game.
“We strongly believe All-Stars Cricket will shape junior cricket in the next few years and will ultimately grow participation.
“This is why our success this year is important for all of the clubs who are involved. “This can be the beginning of a junior section for some or the start of an under-nine structure for others.
“All Stars Cricket is about increasing participation and growing the wider game.
“By achieving such figures this year, we are not only building on the success of last year but also making local cricket clubs more sustainable.”
To find out more about AllStars Cricket go to allstarscricket.co.uk.