Cardiff Cricket Club’s Under 13s have been given the opportunity of a lifetime when they will visit the home of cricket to represent Wales.
The trip to Lords which takes place in March will see the team compete in the Primrose Hill Four Nations Indoor schools cricket competition alongside clubs from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Sport.Cardiff and Glamorgan Cricket Club work closely with the junior section and provide a community cricket programme to provide exit routes into the club from local primary and secondary schools.
The team will be guests at Lords where they will receive a full tour of the ground and coaching sessions from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) coaches prior to playing their international games.
Cardiff was invited following a fantastic summer when they became Welsh Champions and went on to represent Wales and the South West of England in the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Under 13 Boys Championship at Oakham School in Rutland. They finished a very creditable third in the whole of the UK.
During 12 weeks last summer community coaching sessions took place across Cardiff primary schools including Coryton, Eglwys Newydd, Eglwys Wen, Llanishen Fach, Melin Gruffydd and Rhiwbeina.
Each school received curriculum time coaching sessions as well as access to after school cricket clubs in partnership with Cardiff Cricket Club. Participants went on to take part in the annual Cardiff schools cricket tournaments which took place at Cardiff Castle and the SWALEC Stadium.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “This fantastic news is an excellent example of the grass roots sport provision provided in Cardiff and how it can lead to exceptional opportunities.
“Sport.Cardiff work closely with several sporting partners including Glamorgan and Cardiff Cricket Club’s to ensure children and young people have access to a diverse and extensive range of sports with the aim that they will develop and join local clubs.
“I wish to congratulate the Under 13s team on their achievements and I am sure they will thoroughly enjoy their time at Lords.”