More youngsters than ever taking up game

GUERNSEY'S energetic cricket development team are out to attract the island's youngsters to the game and their moves are paying dividends with vibrant turnouts and progress. The recent introduction of the OSA Crazy Catch Challenge is just part of a number of exciting new initiatives being implemented by the team this summer.

Participation levels are at an all-time high with hundreds either being introduced to the game or playing in leagues.

Monday night sessions are run at two venues - in excess of 60 Years 5 and 6 pupils play at the College Field, with a further 50 based at the Memorial Field.

Tuesday night is the under-9 night where players are divided into 12 teams and involve more than 110.

Wednesday evening is the under-13 league night and involves five sides including the island under-11 squad.

'It is essential that we provide both testing and enjoyable cricket for all our young players - we take the island squad players out of their own age group and play them in the league above. This means that they get used to the idea of a team ethic while being challenged by players who are older, more experienced and, in most cases, much stronger,' said GCB development officer Jason Shambrook.

The under-15 league consists of three under-15 teams, the Sirens women's side, Rovers juniors and the under-13 island squad.

'In Years 3 to 6 we have more than 220 players coming to us on a Monday and Tuesday evening which is fantastic and we are indebted to the continued support for our volunteer programme,' he said.

'My aim is to make sure that everyone who wants to play the game finds their level. It is not just a case of playing for England - some people are just happy to gain an understanding of the rules and will have a lifetime of watching the game.'

The girls' programme runs on Thursday evenings, providing a fun introduction to the game using skill drills and matches.

Next week two female England players, Rosalie Birch and Caroline Atkins, are coming to the island to work in schools and provide support for the Sirens team.

'I see the main development within the women's game coming with the introduction of the new indoor cricket centre early next year,' said Shambrook.

Guernsey youngsters Tim Ravenscroft and Adam Hindle both have busy programme in the UK this summer playing for their respective counties, Hampshire and Sussex.

'Tim's next game will be for the Hampshire Academy in the Premier Gold League with Adam playing for the Sussex under-15s against Hertfordshire and Berkshire over the bank holiday weekend and it is our aim to provide these sorts of opportunities to the best of our young cricketers as part of their ongoing development,' said Shambrook.

There are also plans to expand the PriceWater-houseCoopers School of Excellence to incorporate a new academy.

'We are looking to move forward at every opportunity and, as the link with Sussex CCC grows, we need to move into new areas,' he stressed.

More details of this exciting new venture will follow shortly.

Shambrook and Steve Le Page of PriceWaterhouse-Coopers, the local youth cricket sponsors, are at Lords today to collect during the West Indies-England match, ICC special awards for 'best overall European development programme' and 'best women's cricket initiative'.

'I am delighted that the contribution from PWC has made a real difference within local cricket and winning these awards is the ultimate accolade,' said Le Page.