A brand new coaching programme aims to turn cricket into one of Scotland’s mainstream sports.
Launched today (Monday 20 March), 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 eight week 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 the 50+ Scottish cricket clubs who have signed up to host and run the sessions.
Registration is open from today 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.
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 ten sports.
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 huge number of clubs across the country. We believe this ground-breaking initiative for junior cricket can provide long-term benefits for our sport.”
To sign up, visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk
