Volts give support to family

Volts player Anaru Kitchen - wearing a black armband for Jack Martin - signs bats for young fans at Molyneux. Photo / Otago Daily Times.

The father of a Waikouaiti boy who died in a boating accident says the Otago Volts wearing black arm bands to honour his son was a "wonderful gesture".

The Volts players wore the arm bands in memory of 12-year-old Jack Martin during yesterday's one-day cricket match against Canterbury in Alexandra.

Jack, a keen cricketer, died after he was struck by a passing boat after he fell off a sea biscuit on Blue Lake, St Bathans, on Saturday evening.

His father, Neil Martin, was moved by the Volts gesture, saying it was "fantastic for the wee fella".

"It's just a totally unexpected and wonderful gesture," Mr Martin said.

His son admired the Otago players and was a talented cricketer.

He was supposed to be playing - as vice-captain - for North Otago at the South Island primary schools cricket tournament in the coming weeks.

Otago Volts manager James Lovelock said the players wore the arm bands as a way of offering support to the family of a young Otago cricketer.

"Obviously, it is a terrible time for the family and while he was not known personally to us, he is part of the wider cricket family and the players all felt it was the best way we could offer support at this time to the family," Mr Lovelock said.

"We just felt it was a little thing we could do."