Stags offer coaching to region's young prospects

It will be a Stag party in Wanganui on Thursday and the region's young cricketers are all invited.

The Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags will be in town to run a coaching session at Victoria Park and the Cricket Academy.

The public can also meet the team on Friday morning when they stop in at McDonald's Wanganui for breakfast.

Black Caps Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell will be in attendance to offer tips, as will other members of the team, such as Wanganui's Ben Smith and Taranaki's Tom Bruce, formerly of Wanganui Collegiate.

Smith will also be turning out initially for Marist when the club cricket season begins in October.

The Stags' marquee signing Jesse Ryder is still in England, while talented players George Worker and Ben Wheeler are currently away with the New Zealand A team.

The youth coaching starts at 10.30am on Thursday and runs until 12.30pm, with the fielding sessions at Victoria Park and the skills session at the Academy.

The Stags will spend their afternoon getting in a round of golf on the Castlecliff club course. They will depart Wanganui after their public Friday breakfast.

The initiative by Cricket Wanganui to start the season is supported by Anndion Lodge, McDonald's, Active Physio, David Jones Motors and Castlecliff Golf Club.