Howzat? Sponsors go into bat for juniors

The arrival of The Watsons will enhance the talent in junior cricket ranks and prepare the rep players to fly the Wanganui flag during away fixtures in other centres. Company principal Ross Watson (front) is flanked by rep players (from left) Kieran McInnes, Tom Dickson, Blair Pudney, Jess Watkins, Angus Dinwiddy, Raemon Teki, Hunter Morrison, Joel Clark, age-group coaches (kneeling) Tom Dinwiddy, Mark Dickson, Hayden Pudney, Drew Morrison, Cricket Wanganui chairman Stu Gill and director of coaching Dilan Raj. Photo/Stuart Munro

A new sponsorship deal is set to foster the next generation of talented Wanganui cricketers.

Real estate company The Watsons has come to the aid of junior cricket in a deal that will ultimately free up the time of Cricket Wanganui director of coaching Dilan Raj to focus on the technical aspects of the game with budding young stars.

Company principal Ross Watson said the idea was not only to harness raw talent within the youth teams, but also instil a sense of pride in representative players flying the Wanganui flag during away matches.

"The sponsorship deal includes smart new uniforms as a start that will help give Wanganui a good profile in other centres," Watson said.

"There is a lot of serious talent out there among the juniors and they are our future. That's where Dilan comes in. I can't speak highly enough of Dilan as coach and mentor for young cricketers and being able to free up his time for him to do what he does best is an honour and a sensible thing to do."

Cricket Wanganui chairman Stu Gill and junior chairperson Pania Purvis agreed.

"Dilan does a wonderful job. The arrival of The Watsons is a godsend that can only benefit Wanganui cricket well into the future," Gill said.

"In fact, it's already happening and last weekend's rep game against Manawatu is clear evidence of that," he said.

The Wanganui under-11 team under coach Drew Morrison had Manawatu on the ropes, scoring 100 runs for four wickets after 30 overs. Manawatu came to the crease in their innings and struggled against a spirited Wanganui attack to put just 48 runs on the board when rain halted play after 14.5 overs.

Raj said the sponsorship deal would allow more coaching programmes to be run and greater focus to be placed on the junior ranks.

"We've only just finished a clinic that attracted 75 kids and we have more camps planned for late January and this certainly couldn't have happened without The Watsons. I do the technical coaching, but it's down to the age-group coaches to hone their skills and teach the art of cricket," Raj said.

"And obviously they are doing a great job. We see that throughout the under-11, 12 and 13 sides, which are dominating."