A record number of 2,947 pupils and staff from schools and colleges across Wales attended Tuesday evening’s Vitality Blast match between Glamorgan and Middlesex at Sophia Gardens on Midsummer's Day.
In all, 2434 pupils attended the match from 69 schools – this follows on from the 1147 pupils from 42 schools and colleges who attended the T20 fixture against Gloucestershire at the Cardiff ground on 7 June.
“We have been really delighted by the response by schools and colleges to come along and support Glamorgan in their T20 games this summer,” said Andrew Hignell, the Club’s Heritage and Education Co-ordinator who has overseen the free ticket offer for accompanied parties from schools and colleges across South, West and Mid Wales.
“On Tuesday evening, we were very pleased to welcome 29 schools from the Cardiff area, plus others from primary and secondary schools in Aberdare, Aberystwyth, Barry, Blackwood, Brecon, Bridgend, Caerleon, Caerphilly, Chepstow, Crickhowell, Gowerton, Haverfordwest, Llantwit Major, Merthyr, Milford Haven, Monmouth, Neath, Newport, Penarth, Pencoed, Pontypool, Swansea, Tenby, Tonyrefail, Tredegar, Ystalyfera and Ystrad Mynach.”
“In total, we have been able to welcome 3581 pupils and students, plus 761 staff from a total of 111 schools and colleges to our Vitality Blast home games against Gloucestershire and Middlesex.”
“As a young boy growing up in Cardiff during the late 1960s and early 1970s, I caught the cricket bug by watching the Sunday League matches here at Sophia Gardens and on television. I am sure that many of the children who have attended the two Tuesday night games this summer will do the same, and we look forward to welcoming them to other Glamorgan matches as well as the Welsh Fire games in The Hundred.”