Stags give back to the youngsters

FACING UP: Carter Hobbs, 11, takes strike, watched by the Central Districts Stags players Matt Thomas (left), Bevan Small, Seth Rance and Doug Bracewell. PHOTO/JARED SMITH 01102015WCSUPCRICKET

WHEN you represent an area comprising eight cricket associations spread from Nelson to New Plymouth, there's never a lot of time to get to Wanganui for a hit around with the youngsters.

But the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags were happy to be at Victoria Park and the Wanganui Cricket Academy yesterday - having fun games with the small kids and giving instruction for drills with the more serious teenage players.

The Stags' visit was an initiative organised by Cricket Wanganui's Dilan Raj to help get the 2015-16 summer season under way.

Captain and former Black Cap Kruger van Wyk praised Raj for organising the visit to a part of the CD catchment where they would usually not spend time.

Their home grounds were Saxton Oval (Nelson), McLean Park (Napier), Fitzherbert Park (Palmerston North) and Pukekura Park (New Plymouth).

"It's a really nice turnout. It's nice to give back. We all started out at this level," said van Wyk.

Other Black Caps Doug Bracewell and Adam Milne were also there.

Also helping out was Wanganui export Ben Smith, with the news he will switch club allegiances back to his hometown for the first time in four seasons this year.

Smith will be busy with Stags duties for most of the year, but will officially be registered with Wanganui Marist as a player.

"I'm going to play for Marist, obviously on October 10," he said.

"It was the early stages of my career with CD that I played over in Hawke's Bay.

"But it's what I always wanted to do - to see and play with some old friends."

Raj will also be very keen to get Smith to help him with coaching of local youngsters when he is available.

The Stags had a round of golf together at the Castlecliff Golf Club yesterday afternoon.

For people still wanting to see them, the team will be at McDonald's in Wanganui for breakfast at 9am today.