25th June 2013
| Mallory Gray
Glamorgan cricketer Huw Waters, and England women’s cricketer Heather Knight, joined school children at Hywel Dda Primary School in Cardiff last week (18th June) in an event organised by Cricket Wales. The children joined thousands of other pupils in schools across the country for a day of cricket as part of Brit National Cricket Day.
Like many of Chance to Shine’s 6,000 schools, Hywel Dda Primary School turned its timetable over to a day of Australian and cricket-themed lessons to tie in with the upcoming Investec Ashes series. Pupils from Hywel Dda Primary School took part in Ashes and cricket-themed lessons in class and enjoyed a cricket session in the playground with the cricketing stars.
Speaking about the event Huw Waters said, “Cricket has played a central role in my life, teaching me skills that can be used on and off the field, so it’s been great to see the children enjoying whilst learning about cricket here today. “The Chance to Shine National Cricket Day will hopefully encourage more children to give the sport a go and, who knows, one of these children might be playing for Glamorgan in a few years time!”
England women’s cricketer Heather Knight added, “I really enjoyed the Ashes themed school assembly. It was interactive and the children really engaged with the topic. The children competed for an Ashes Urn and it's great that the school will be able to keep the trophy and run more intra-school competitions”
The event, organised by Cricket Wales, was one of six flagship media events taking place across the country to mark Chance to Shine’s national celebration of cricket in schools. Hundreds of schools throughout Wales registered for Brit National Cricket Day, and took part in Ashes-themed lessons in class, coaching in the playground, competitions at local cricket clubs and beach cricket festivals.
Gavin Hawkey, Development Manager at Cricket Wales, said, “National Cricket Day provides a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the work of Cricket Wales and Chance to Shine. Activities have taken place in every local authority in Wales, from beach cricket on Aberavon beach to classroom sessions on Anglesey. Our team of Community Coaches are working with over 300 schools and 40 cricket clubs to ensure more young people are involved and retained within cricket.”
Summing up the day, Chief Executive of Chance to Shine Wasim Khan MBE said, “Once again hundreds of schools and children from across the country have embraced Brit National Cricket Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate the game and the work that Chance to Shine is doing to keep the game alive in schools. With a massive summer of Ashes cricket ahead it is a great opportunity to get as many children as possible enthused about this great game.”
For more information please contact:
Gavin Hawkey, Development Manager, Cricket Wales
Tel: 02920 419327 Email: [email protected]
Ben Walker, Communications Officer, Cricket Foundation
Tel. 07901 102 533 Email. [email protected]
Notes to Editors
About the Cricket Wales Community Coach Programme
Cricket Wales is the national governing body for the junior and recreational game in Wales and one of 39 County Cricket Boards affiliated to the England & Wales Cricket Board. Cricket Wales exists to lead inspire and influence the growth, quality and accessibility of cricket in Wales. The Cricket Wales Community Coach programme supported by Chance to Shine and Sport Wales is a national initiative designed to increase participation in cricket throughout Wales. Our ambition is to double the number of junior club teams playing structured league cricket by 2020.
About ‘Chance to Shine supported by Brit Insurance’
Chance to Shine is bringing cricket back to schools. Before it launched in 2005, fewer than 10 per cent of state schools played competitive cricket. Seven years on, Chance to Shine has linked 1,004 cricket clubs to 6,500 schools and their specialist coaches have brought cricketing opportunities to 1.8million state school children. Chance to Shine is not just about cricket. Young people involved in the programme are developing essential life skills and values, such as leadership, discipline, teamwork and understanding how to win and lose. £15 pays for a child to benefit from Chance to Shine for a year. chancetoshine.org