The White Ferns will run a coaching clinic at Bay Oval today. Photo / File
The arrival of the White Ferns at the Bay Oval from today until Sunday will again provide the opportunity for Year 4 to 6 girls to get up close and personal with members of the national women's cricket team.
The purpose of the White Ferns visit is to give the
team the chance to prepare for their visit to the West Indies in September. The Bay Oval is unique nationally in that the practice wickets and wicket blocks are available for out-of-season training.
Following on from the success of the Year 4, 5 and 6 girls cricket lessons during their winter training last season, the White Ferns will take time to continue to support Bay of Plenty junior girls cricket.
The White Ferns visit will be a great lead-in to the 2014 GoGirl cricket programme launched in the Bay last year. Documentary evidence suggests that unlike boys of a similar age, young girls often never take up a bat and ball, because they learn at a different level from boys in a mixed boys and girls environment. The GoGirl programme is aimed at Year 5-6 girls, to draw the youngsters to the game by way of a standalone introduction programme.
No cricket experience is necessary and, as well as the cricket lessons delivered in a fun environment, the girls will have a chance to rub shoulders with their heroes and also be the first in the country to get the new White Ferns playing cards and posters.
