JUNIOR cricket is padding up again in Merriwa after a decade-long absence from the crease.
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And, don’t the kids love it.
Between 30 and 40 youngsters are currently participating in one of the sport’s entry level programs, Master Blaster, at the town’s No 2 oval every Friday evening.
The initiative allows children to play modified cricket, with plastic stumps and soft balls, while providing all of them with an opportunity to bat, bowl, wicket-keep and field.
Organiser Jon Osmond was delighted with the response.
“It’s been more than 10 years since Merriwa fielded junior cricket,” he said.
“So, it was great to see 38 boys and girls – aged from 5 to 12 – for the first week and 30 the other night.
“The kids are having a lot of fun, but also taking part in drills and skills sessions, under the tutelage of the senior players.
“That will eventually lead in to matches.
“All the comments from the parents have been positive, too.
“It’s easy to register, just visit playcricket.com.au and select the town.”
Osmond said the overall plan was to, hopefully, establish a junior club in Merriwa again.
“The senior playing group felt it needed to do something,” he explained.
“There were no children coming through the ranks, which was a worry.
“So, after a few discussions, we contacted Cricket NSW – and Gary Fisher.
“Then everything just went from there.
“We wanted to re-introduce [cricket] it first to find out the interest within the community.
“And, clearly it’s there.
“Our thanks go to our sponsors Merriwa Sports Club, Rosto Olives, Tullatula Partnership, Osmond’s Pumps and Water Solutions, Merriwa Petroleum & Ag Supplies, Merriwa Engineering Pty Ltd, Cassilis Park Merino Stud, D & K Telfer Earthmoving, Merriwa Pharmacy, Merriwa RSL Club, Gundibri Pty Ltd, Frampton Farms, Elders Merriwa, Trio Angus, Welderup, Kingslyn, Curtiepie, Gilder Group and Williams Concrete for their support.”
Cricket NSW development manager Hunter Gary Fisher admitted it was a pleasure to work with Osmond and the other members of the Merriwa Cricket Club to re-establish the game in the town.
“To meet nine or so passionate and dedicated people on a Sunday afternoon to discuss how cricket for juniors could be delivered in Merriwa was a joy,” he said.
“In what has been a difficult time for the community, with the drought, it is fantastic that the Master Blaster program for juniors has been established.
“It not only allows boys and girls from the town and surrounds to participate and enjoy our great game on a Friday evening in a modified form, but it lets their parents take some time out from their day-to-day life to relax, chat and enjoy watching their children in action.
“In our initial discussions, Jon said he hoped to have 20 players participating.
“For that number to now be at 40 with potentially more is a credit to him and the hardworking volunteers at the Merriwa Cricket Club.
“I have also been able to establish a cricket program at St Joseph’s School in Merriwa for all 67 students, thanks to some sporting funding and working with Sally Gilby at the school.
“This program starts on Friday, October 26.
“And, my hope is that more children will transition to the Merriwa Cricket Club program in the next month.”