New Zealand cricketers will take their game to the schools at a six-a-side competition at Papatoetoe club today.
The day is the launch of Hooked on Cricket, a joint campaign between the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association and the Community Trust to give primary school children in low-decile areas achance to play the game in a fun environment.
The initiative began last season and this summer has been expanded. After today, other days with the same structure are pencilled in for Rotorua next Wednesday, Christchurch on November 27 and Wellington on February 13.
Each of the eight school teams from Otara, Otahuhu, Mangere and Manurewa will be captained by an international or first-class player.
Those taking part today include Chris Martin, Andre Adams, Daryl Tuffey, Tama Canning, Ross Taylor - all current or former Black Caps - and members of the Auckland provincial squad.
"This programme is a great opportunity for the players to assist in the development of cricket, but more importantly it provides a vehicle to take the game to new communities," association executive manager Heath Mills said yesterday.
