FOCUSED: Action from last year's Riverbend Tournament held in Napier. PHOTO:FILE
FOCUSED: Action from last year's Riverbend Tournament held in Napier. PHOTO:FILE
Western Bay of Plenty Cricket administrator Don Warner turns into a logistics magician as he prepares to send 15 Western Bay of Plenty age-group teams to the annual Riverbend cricket tournament in Hawke's Bay from January 5-26.
The annual Riverbend junior cricket tournaments dates back to 1979 and is organisedby the Hawke's Bay Cricket Association.
It has been a successful breeding ground for a number of first class and New Zealand cricketers, with Ross Taylor, Jamie How, Jeetan Patel, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Mike Mason, Ben Stokes (England), Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Sara McGlashan and Sophie Devine playing in past years.
"The major reason for sending 15 teams to Riverbend, is the continued development of our Year 4 and Year 5-9 players," Warner said.
"We have a rotation policy for all teams, where the youngsters receive the opportunity to bat and bowl at the top, middle and lower order, during their time at the Riverbend tournament.
"I am personally delighted that we have two teams in the introductory Year 4 and 5 contests this year, after sending one team last season. Riverbend is the biggest junior cricket tournament in the North Island, with many of the youngsters experiencing playing outside the confines of the Western Bay of Plenty for the first time."
Wednesday, January 12 will be a huge day for the Western Bay teams, with nine teams in action in various stages of competition.
January 5-7 Year Four/Five - Blue & Gold January 8-11 Year Eight - Blue, Gold & White January 9-12 Year Nine - Blue, White & Gold January 11-14 Year Seven - Blue, Gold & Black January 15-18 Year Seven - Development January 18-21 Year Six - Blue & Gold January 22-26 Year Six - Development
