More children turning to cricket

Bay youngsters are turning to cricket in droves, say local Bay cricket clubs, boosted by initiatives run through New Zealand Cricket.

Cricket manager for Bay of Plenty Cricket Association Tai Bridgman said, said year on year the number of school-aged children playing cricket had gone up.

"Just around the World Cup, we have had 50 schools sign up in the region up to Cricket Smart, which shows the interest is there."

Cricket Smart is a set of resources for primary and intermediate schools involving packs of cards with batting, bowling and feilding games.

"Suddenly all these schools that hadn't been interested in cricket before are getting involved," said Mr Bridgeman.

Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association secretary Don Warner said there had been a big jump in the younger generations showing interest in the sport.

"There certainly is a lot of interest out there in the local schools.

"There is definitely more children coming on at that age."

"I've just been to Mangatapu School and I said to the kids before I started "who's going to win tonight and they all said the Black Caps," so they know. But in the past if I asked them a similar question, they wouldn't have a clue or couldn't care less - now they know."

Greerton Cricket Club president Steve Wineti said there had been a marked increase at his club through the Kids Cricket in the Park initiatives.

"Between 70 and 80 children turned up for the weekly event so that's been great to see. We have our premier boys in that, training the kids and we have parents coming down being involved so we have seen a marked increase."

Cricket mum Yvonne Handley said she brought her son, Jacob, to the Friday night Kids Cricket in the Park initiative to see whether he wanted to play the sport long term.

So far he was enjoying learning the game, she said.