Codes combine for kids' camp

HAVE A CRACK: Northland cricket representative Rory Darkins, behind, is running a two-day sports camp next week along with Harry Darkins and Katie Rood. Pictured is Darkins coaching batter Ethan Hare during a session for junior cricketers at Cobham Oval last year.PHOTO/FILE

A trio of sporting Northlanders is looking to create a bit of fun for local kids next week, while helping parents finish up any last-minute Christmas shopping they may have.

Professional cricketer Rory Darkins has combined with former New Zealand under-20 football representative Katie Rood and Whangarei Boys' High School teacher, and rugby sevens coach, Harry Darkins to put together a Christmas Sports Camp.

It's led by Rory Darkins, who hopes he can get the kids aged between 6 and 13 having fun and developing skills they have already got, during the camp on Monday and Tuesday between 9am and 3pm.

Darkins said it was not too late to sign up, even though the flyer said bookings needed to be in by yesterday.

"I just love seeing kids getting involved and wanting to be active," said the 22-year-old cricketer, who regularly runs cricket-based holiday programmes. "I'm a big believer in teaching things through giving it a go. Hopefully we strike a good balance between fun and learning new skills."

Darkins acknowledged the help he had in Rood and Harry Darkins was top notch and it meant there could be a competition between the rugby-mad kids and the football or cricket-mad kids.

"We're looking at which sport comes out on top, we're sort of scheming ways we can get the keen cricketers to take on the keen rugby players and footballers to see who's the overall winning code."

Darkins came up with the idea for the camp while going through a long rehabilitation from injury.

"When you're rehabbing an injury there's only so much you can do with your day so it's been good to focus on something else," he said.

"I said to everyone at the start that I've got this idea and let's just prepare for it to not work out, that way nothing is gained and nothing is lost. I've done it with cricket before, but this time it's all happened really quickly.

"It's been fun not knowing whether it's going to succeed or not."

Darkins noted the event had taken off since he had printed out flyers and distributed them where he could.

He said that would not have happened if it hadn't been for Mike Ross from Keriprint, Mark Neal from printing.com and Mark and Donna Newman from Stirling Sports.

As of yesterday, 23 kids had signed up for the camp.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Sports camp on December 23 and 24.
* Each day runs from 9am to 3pm.
* It's for kids aged between 6 and 13.
* Bookings and enquiries through Rory Darkins at rorydarkins36@gmail.com or 021 0293 5636.
* The cost is $35 per day or $60 for two days.
* The venue is Whangarei Boys' High School.