Developing coordination

THE Guernsey Cricket Board have been challenging the catching skills of youngsters around the island in the OSA Recruitment Crazy Catch Challenge. A month into it, 600 pupils from primary and secondary schools have taken part in a series of tasks to test their hand-eye coordination skills.

The initiative tests the participants' movement, mobility, speed and reaction in one-minute exercises.

The top 50 boys and girls in both primary and secondary schools have been listed on the recently launched Indoor Cricket Guernsey website, www.icg.gg.

'The challenge has been fantastic for the children. It has tested their basic ball skills and their ability to react,' said GCB development coach Jason Shambrook.

'They've really enjoyed it. It doesn't matter if they are particularly sporty or not because working on a child's hand-eye coordination is an essential skill needed throughout life, and important to be developed at an early age.

'We've seen a very good standard from the schools that we've been into so far and this is really encouraging.

'With a month to go, it would be fantastic to see if we could top some of these scores.'

With only a minute to complete each element, the Year 5 and 6 boys 'throw and catch' scores have been reaching the high 40s with the girls not far behind.

In the 'left and right brain coordinator challenge' whereby the child has to throw the ball from their left hand onto the Crazy Catch device to bounce back into their right hand, the Year 5 and 6 boys' leader board has hit the 50 mark.

'We're encouraging the schools and individuals to keep looking at the website, as the leader board continues to be updated regularly,' said Shambrook.

Nick Graham, managing director of OSA Recruitment, said that it was great to see how many children had already benefited from this initiative.

'I think the equipment is brilliant,' he said.

'It's putting the children's skills to the test while providing them with a fun, physical challenge.

'It also allows coaches to see how children at this age can develop.'

At the end of the summer term, prizes will be awarded to the top boys and girls, with the highest overall combined total winning the accolade of 'OSA Recruitment's Finest Catcher'.

Certificates with a record of each individual score have also been awarded to all those children who have taken part in the challenge.