Europe beckons

INTERNATIONAL and first-class county opposition awaits two of the Guernsey age-group teams this weekend. The under-13 squad leaves the island today on a tour of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Tomorrow they will be in Antwerp for a match against the Belgian under-13s before moving on for two fixtures against their Dutch counterparts. Sunday's game will be played in Amsterdam and the following day they will meet in Rotterdam.

'The real reason we wanted to go on this tour is to look at what level we need to achieve if and when we gain ICC membership,' said development coach Jason Shambrook, who will be accompanying the team along with manager Jon Ravenscroft and Rob Hutchinson.

'I am quite confident, with the squad we have, of getting some good results.'

Meanwhile, the Guernsey under-15 squad will be in the UK and will also play three matches.

The first two fixtures of their tour are against first-class counties Northamptonshire, at Wormsley Park, and Worcestershire, in Bewdley.

'We wanted to give them some decent, competitive cricket at the start of the season,' said Shambrook.

'The Worcestershire coach said that he was going to use the match as part of his selection process for the season because there is a county championship at under-15 level.

May is a busy month for the juniors with teams from Dorset, the New Forest and Portsmouth Grammar School all visiting the island at various age groups, while the under-11s will be away in the UK at the end of the month.

n?JANE POWELL has confirmed that she will be visiting Guernsey from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 May and will work with girls' cricket groups in schools and the Sirens Women's Cricket Club.

Powell has represented England both as a player and coach at hockey and cricket over a 30-year period.

She is about to complete her level four cricket coach award and has already achieved level four hockey coaching.

She has worked with various England women's cricket squads between 1998-2003.

Vastly experienced as a coach in overseas environments, Powell has recently returned from a coaching camp in Pune with the Maharashtra State women's teams, during which time she has also worked as a coach educator.

Girls' sessions will be run after school on Wednesday 18 May, for Years five and six and Thursday 19, for Years five to 10.

For more information, Shambrook can be contacted at the cricket development office on 722950.

The Guernsey Young Cricketers Development Committee also has a new website at www.guernsey-youngcricketers.com