KWIK CRICKET: YOUNG cricketers took their first steps on the road to playing at an international Test venue when they competed in the district qualifying round of the BBC Sport Kwik Cricket tournament.
Primary schools from across the county went head to head on Friday.
Pupils from years five and six battled it out for a place in the county finals at Devizes tomorrow.
The district round games were played out at Devizes, Chippenham, Corsham and Swindon cricket clubs.
The winning schools were Lyneham School (Chippenham), Priestley School (Corsham) winner, St Louis School (Warminster), Ruskin School (Swindon), Westbury Leigh School (Trowbridge), Sarum St Paul School (Salisbury) and Wansdyke School (Devizes).
Wiltshire's cricket development officer Alan Crouch said the competition was a great way to promote the sport among local youngsters.
"This event has been run for several years now and here in Wiltshire our aim has been to increase the amount of participants each year," said Crouch.
"Last year 96 were involved and this year it's been 108 so we feel we are achieving that. We run every year several training courses for primary and secondary school teachers which gives them the confidence to deliver cricket to their pupils. We give training to help link schools with clubs with junior sections. We also push the Inter Cricket game which bridges the gap between Kwik Cricket and standard hardball cricket for the U13 level.
"We have targeted North Wiltshire this year and have set up two primary school courses. We have also introduced an U13 cricket league in North Wiltshire."
Kwik Cricket is a simplified game of cricket for boys and girls from the age of five upwards.
It was introduced by the governing bodies of cricket the Test and County Cricket Board and the National Cricket Association. The equipment is made from moulded plastic and can be used indoors or out.
Crouch has received positive feedback from all the venues and said local clubs involved will benefit just as much as the youngsters themselves.
"I was at the Devizes competition on Friday but we had local sports development officers, from the district authorities, who we link up with in the organisation of these events," he added.
"We have a lot of junior cricket at U11 level at clubs and district level. There are players competing in this competition who are involved with cricket already. But each year this competition throws up some young talent that has not tried cricket before.
"These talented kids who are not attached to clubs get the opportunity to play in competition and the clubs who are helping run the individual events get a chance to see some new players in action.
"It's not a one-off event. This gives kids a chance to expose themselves to cricket and it gives clubs a chance to pick up new talent."
Crouch said the day's cricket has entertaining for all involved and is hoping for more of the same in the county finals. He added: "As in previous years the event was well supported by both parents and teachers, if it wasn't for them the competition wouldn't happen.
"Kids love competition and this tournament gives them a chance to mix with kids from other schools.
"It is a great opportunity for these young cricketers because the grand finals are played at a big venue."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article