A brand new coaching programme aims to turn cricket into one of Scotland’s mainstream sports.
All Stars Cricket aims to inspire five to eight year old children to take up the sport through a fun first experience of the game.
The Cricket Scotland programme begins on 22 May (6-7pm) and will see participating boys and girls develop their skills and make new friends in a safe and inclusive environment at the accredited centre at Dumfries Sports Club operated by Dumfries Cricket Club.
Registration is open with each child receiving a pack of cricket goodies including a cricket bat, ball, backpack, water bottle, personalised shirt and cap to keep so that they can continue their love of cricket when they go home.
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 at each club.
Ian Sandbrook, Director of Participation at Cricket Scotland, 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.
“Our excitement stems from the huge number of benefits which the scheme provides.
“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 think this makes All Stars Cricket the leading entry level sports programme in the UK.”
“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.”
Malcolm Cannon, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, added: “2016 was a major turning point in Scottish cricket with a series of positive changes and achievements made both on and off the pitch.
“All Stars Cricket is another significant development which has been supported by Dumfries Cricket Club and a huge number of other clubs across the country. We believe this ground-breaking initiative for junior cricket can provide long-term benefits for our sport.”
Andrew Reed, Chairman of Dumfries Cricket Club said “We are very excited that Dumfries Cricket Club has been chosen as an accredited centre to deliver the All Stars Cricket Programme. We are running the sessions throughout the Summer on Mondays 6-7pm.”
“ We have been delivering a programme within the primary schools around Dumfries and many kids are enjoying the sport and signing up to take part in the centre. We still have a few spaces left and encourage people to register as the centre is filling fast”
To register on the course, sign up at www.allstarscricket.co.uk
