24 Jun 2015 | Cricket
To celebrate National Cricket Week, 108 Year 4 children, from 9 schools ventured to Cardiff Castle for the 5th annual Kwik Cricket tournament organised by Glamorgan and Cricket Wales.
With the sun shining and a spectacular arena for the day, the 9 schools were split into 2 groups playing at least 3 games each with the winners from each group progressing to a final later on in the day. Geraint the area development officer was full of praise for the spirit the day is played in and especially highlighted how pleasing it is to see everyone get an opportunity to improve their cricketing skills
Each team is allowed a squad of up to 12 children and 10 are allowed to play for each team per game explained Geraint.
The purpose of this form of the game is that it allows everybody a chance at every place on the field whether it be bowling or wicket keeper and then the kids take turns to bat for five balls each, whether you get out or not.
Teachers Rob Powell from Mannet Baccan School and Alun from Melin Gruffydd School were quick to praise the day and the stepping stones it offers for kids to enhance their understanding of cricket and develop their skills.
We've played in the last 4 tournaments and the kids love playing in it, said Rob Powell.
The school doesn't have the facilities for cricket and this is the first real taste of cricket they get at school from year 4 onwards. Every team enjoys it and every child's skills improve throughout the day.
We have played every tournament since it started up too said Alun.
Any form of junior cricket is excellent and in this form each child gets to perform every skill batting, bowling and fielding which is great to see.
With the Ashes just over two weeks away now, Geraint has seen a big increase in the participation of children in cricket and feels ever since Cardiff first hosted an Ashes Test in 2009 participation in cricket at a younger age and in Wales has significantly increased
This cricket tournament is the newest tournament we started up and is one of many we have been running over tens of years. The tournament came about because when Cardiff was first allocated an Ashes Test for 2009 we felt we needed to create an increased awareness and participation at a younger level. Now we see our numbers increasing every year which is fantastic.
The forthcoming ashes has also had a big influence on the children as Rob Powell was keen to point out.
We walked through the park to the castle this morning and walked past the Swalec and everyone knew the ashes was being held their and was coming soon so there is definitely an obvious interest among the children.
Alun was also keen to point out that a lot of the children now play for clubs and also how schools are helping children in gaining a basic knowledge for the game.
The fact there is such a big game coming to Cardiff has created a real passion for the game again and it snowballs as once you get that interest it's easy for them to go and practice again.
We also like to teach the children at school the rules as with different levels of cricket there are different rules and this will help them build up to a fully-fledged cricket match. By the years 5 and 6 they know the basic rules and then get into more detail, and by high school they are playing full games, so it's an excellent way for them to get into the sport.
Glamorgan are ensuring as many children as possible have an opportunity to be part of the Ashes through a number of initiatives throughout the season and during the Test Match. From Watch and Play sessions at Championship games, an Ashes exhibition for school groups to visit at The SSE SWALEC, to a Wales-wide multimedia competition for schools. School children also have the opportunity to meet England players on warm-up days prior to the Test and some lucky schools and cricket clubs will be taking part in Guard of Honours on each day of the Test to welcome the players on to the field of play.
The club has also arranged for the England squad to attend Tafwyl festival at Cardiff Castle the weekend before the Test begins.