NATIONAL PROGRAMMES (DECEMBER 2025)

Over the past several months, the Smash It and Wicket programmes have been expanding further across Leinster, giving more young children the chance to play cricket in a fun and inclusive way. After a busy summer, the programmes have continued to develop through autumn and into the winter months, reaching new areas and building strong connections with local clubs and community groups.

The summer months saw clubs across Leinster continue to roll out the programmes, as young players picked up new skills and with many children participating in a structured cricket programme for the first time. Many new clubs who had not previously ran programmes in the past, engaged and ran successful programmes in 2025.

One of the standout highlights in Leinster since the summer has been the National Programme Blitz Series, which has brought Smash It and It's Wicket blitzes to every district in Dublin (Fingal, DLR, Dublin City and South Dublin), as well as Meath, the Midlands, and Wexford. These blitzes have given many children their first opportunity to play cricket close to home and has allowed clubs and local community groups to gain experience running and being involved in the programmes for the first time. The Blitz Events have been such a success that many reached capacity and additional dates are in the process of being added in the new year. 

Killian Molloy, Cricket Leinster National Programmes Coordinator, commented on the blitz events;

"The Blitz Series so far has been a real success, it has been tremendous to see children engage with the programme, especially those who haven't played the sport before. It has also been really encouraging to see demand for the sport and the programmes to be high across all areas of Leinster. My special thanks to the local clubs who have hosted the blitz events and also to the regional development officers for their collaboration on this project."

Another highlight has been the Smash It schools programme at Scoil Mhuire, Blakestown, Dublin 15, where all of the 1st and 2nd class pupils took part. Each individual class teacher was trained and the school was provided with resources to bring cricket to the children during their PE times. Schools who are keen to know more and get involved in the Smash It, or It's Wicket Programme are encouraged to contact the Cricket Leinster National Programmes Coordinator at killian.molloy@cricketleinster.ie

Since the summer months, clubs, blitz events, schools, and indoor programmes have given children, parents, and teachers new ways to get involved with cricket, whether playing, taking part in fun activities, or developing coaching skills. The blitzes, in particular, have helped bring Smash It and Wicket to communities and clubs that might not have seen them before, raising awareness of the programmes and their benefits. 

January will see registration process for clubs looking to run national programmes in summer 2026 open, and clubs looking to express interest are encouraged to contact Killian Molloy the Cricket Leinster National Programmes Coordinator at killian.molloy@cricketleinster.ie