LEINSTER CLUBS SMASHING IT WITH NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

With cricket season well and truly underway, various clubs from all over the province have also kicked off their national programme campaigns with Smash It and Its Wicket!

One of the clubs who have run the Smash it national programmes is Swords Cricket Club, who alongside Fingal County Council ran the programme over the two days of the Flavours of Fingal event at Newbridge house on the clubs grounds. 

Philip Jacob from Swords CC, commented on how Smash It has helped the club enhance the clubs youth participation:

"Despite a bit of rain on the first day, the Smash It program was a tremendous success for Swords Cricket Club. The initiative instilled confidence in new activators, encouraging them to step into coaching youth, and also attracted new registrations to the Swords CC youth section. This marks the second time Swords CC has conducted the Smash It program, and I believe it will become an annual event moving forward."

The Flavours of Fingal event also saw many of the thousands in attendance give cricket a go for the first time , with giant practice game inflatables and had a hit in the newly opened net practice areas at the club. 

Another club to embrace the national programmes is Ongar Cricket Club, Leinsters newest club. The club are running weekly sessions in the local Hansfield ET primary school, with well over 40 children registered for the clubs first ever National Programmes. 

Killian Molloy, Cricket Leinsters national programme coordininator, commented on the interest of the programme with the club:

"It has been sensational to see so much demand for this programme in this area. It is a testament to the hardworking coaches and volunteers from the club who have been instrumental in getting this up and running so quickly. Having such dedicated people within our local clubs is a key factor in building sustainable youth programmes!"

Clubs such as Halverstown and Greystones are now up and running with the Its Wicket! Programmes, which are designed for girls between the ages of 9 and 13 and have seen really healthy numbers in attendance. 

Killian Molloy added that "It is really good to see some of the smaller clubs running girls specific programmes, it highlights the growing desire within clubs to expand their offerings and create a pathway for all cricketers regardless of gender. I look forward to working with these, and other clubs aiding them in the delivery of all national programmes. I would also encourage every club to consider running a national programme"

Knockharley, Rush and Mullingar are just some of the clubs running Smash It and Its Wicket summer camps over the coming weeks, with many still taking registrations. All details of all clubs and locations can be viewed at the link below. 

https://www.cricket-programmes.com/