Schools cricket programme gives more kids a chance to shine

Jahman Clarke shows his skills during the Chance to Shine cricket programme delivered to Whanganui East School over the past six weeks.

Eight more schools are yet to enjoy the benefits Whanganui East has been delivered over the past six weeks by the Chance to Shine cricket programme.

Delivered by Cricket Wanganui the programme culminated in a fesitval day at Whanganui East on Tuesday.

Cricket Wanganui coaches, Dom Lock and Jess Watkin delivered the programme and were extremely impressed with not only the skills of the Wanganui East students, but also their behaviour and willingness to learn.

Whanganui East sports co-ordinator, Ray Stormont was thrilled with the programme and the benefits it has provided the children both in and out of the classroom.

"All the students have been developing their cricket skills in a six week programme to develop their throwing, catching and batting skills," Stormont said.

"To end our sessions with Dom and Jess we celebrated with a cricket festival where the junior classes participated in fun games using the skills they have developed. This was such a well-run programme that Whanganui East School has asked Cricket Wanganui to return and build on this success."

The winners of the cricket competition were the S Team in the boy's grade and The Shining Girls in the girls division.

They received giveaways from New Zealand Cricket and two lucky families won Embassy 3 movie vouchers.

Cricket Wanganui general manager Dilan Raj said that Whanganui East was the model school.

"The organisation from the school was excellent and the parent and community involvement around the festival day/barbecue was everything cricket and sport wanted to achieve in driving our message of promoting social, physical and health benefits to our young cricketers," Raj said.

The Chance to Shine programme was made possible by support from Whanganui Community Foundation, Pakn'Save, Tasman Tanning, MARS, Embassy 3 and David Jones Motors.

The aim of the programme is to provide sporting opportunities for young students right through their schooling.