Pupils at a South Wales primary school are bowled over by a new after-school cricket club, set up as part of a £250,000 Wales-wide programme to grow the game.
Cricket Wales answered the call from New Inn Primary School, Pontypool, who were keen to reintroduce cricket after several years’ absence.
Lee Herring, Cricket Wales community coach for Torfaen and North Monmouthshire, stepped in and ran taster sessions, leading to an after-school club run by a member of staff and involving some 20 pupils.
The Community Coach Programme is a £250,000 annual programme supported by the Cricket Foundation’s Chance to Shine and Sport Wales, to support cricket in schools and create more junior teams.
The programme is one of the largest sports development initiatives in Wales. In 2012-13, it led to 28 new teams playing structured league cricket. It involved 68 clubs and 314 schools around Wales, training 201 teachers. Of those schools, 88% rated the quality of coaching as excellent or very good.
“The Community Coach Programme is one of the big success stories of Welsh cricket,” said Cricket Wales chief executive, Peter Hybart.
“We have a network of 22 community coaches around the country, with the expertise and talent to help schools such as New Inn Primary to give pupils the chance to enjoy cricket.”
Cricket Wales is the national governing body for junior and recreational senior cricket in Wales. It works closely with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, which governs the men’s professional game. For information visit www.cricketwales.org.uk
