A NEW children’s cricket programme aimed at eight to 11-year-olds is to be launched next season.
Dynamos Cricket aims to be the next step into the game for youngsters who have been through the All Stars sessions for five to eight-year-olds, which has been hailed a “massive success” in clubs across County Durham.
Members of the Teesdale Cricket Development Group were told the Dynamos scheme aimed to complement not compete with what clubs already offered to juniors aged up to 11.
Durham Cricket development officer Darren Brown said it also aimed to heighten interest in the ECB’s new Hundred competition.
“Dynamos is for those not quite sure what the next step is but who want to stay involved,” he said.
“It does not replace anything the clubs run, it’s to get more kids involved in clubs.”
Mr Brown said like the All Stars scheme, Dynamos Cricket would involved eight weekly sessions of up to an hour and a quarter’s duration.
“There is a warm up, skills development and then into a six-a-side game of 60 balls,” he said.
Teams would bat in pairs, with each pair facing 20 balls.
As with the All Stars scheme, Dynamos would rely on “activators” and trained volunteers to run the session.
Clubs signing up to the scheme would receive a kit bag with enough equipment to stage two games of six-a-side cricket, while children taking part would receive a personalised sports shirt.
Dynamos Cricket sessions can be run either in early season or during the summer holidays.
Mr Brown said that while as many clubs as possible had been encouraged to take part in All Stars, Dynamos was more of a “stepping stone” .
“If clubs think it’s worthwhile to run it then okay, but if they think what they have is fine, then there is no need to run it.”
Meanwhile, Mr Brown said the popular All Stars scheme would return for a third year.
“All Stars has been really successful in Teesdale and across Durham. There were an average of 42 kids per session across the county and some clubs in this area (Teesdale) got that number.
“It’s been a massive success, from the bigger clubs to the village clubs.”
Raby Castle CC, Barnard Castle CC, Middleton-in-Teesdale CC and Evenwood CC are among the clubs offering the All Stars programme.
