As the sun continues to shine, the future generations of cricketers are having fun as the 2018 All Stars initiative kicks off at centres around the country. Following the initial success of the 2017 initiative, 2018 is bigger and better. There has been a tremendous increase in applicants from 931 last year to 1121 so far this season with registrations still open in some centres.
The All Stars programme is designed for 5-8 year olds and is focused on fun and in 2018 we have returning Centres, returning All Stars as well as new Centres and new All Stars. It’s a very positive story that has been seen across the country. Ramzan Mohammed, who runs the Hillhead Centre based at Hillhead CC, was enthused, not only by the success of 2017, but also of the anticiaption of 2018; “Hillhead CC were one of the early adopters of All Stars in Glasgow when the programme was first launched in 2017, and are pleased to run the programme again in 2018. The sign up rate in 2018 at Hillhead has been quiet overwhelming with a 160% increase on the 2017 numbers. The first session of 2018 took place on Friday 4th May with some 26 kids taking part – for the vast majority this was their first experience of cricket. A number of the parents were easily cajoled into joining in the fun too and Hughenden was a hive of cricket activity . We’re looking forward to some more organised cricketing chaos complimented with smiles , energy and laughter from the participants over the next few weeks”.
Its a similar story down in the Borders where at the Selkirk Centre, Stuart Skeldon highlighted the beneifts that the programme brings to his club; “Been great for our club at Selkirk CC. Kids loved it. Some have already progressed to our Junior Section. We’ve nearly doubled our numbers for this year. Around 75% are returning this year. One Parent was so impressed he has sponsored our Junior section. All the kids can’t wait to get started again this Friday night”.
Fun, smiles, energy and laughter: The ethos of All Stars.
