BATHURST is set to incorporate the popular Milo T20 Blast junior program into the local cricket landscape this summer with two Test representatives lined up to help launch the initiative next week.
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Local Test product Trent Copeland will be joined by NSW team-mate and ex-Test paceman Doug Bollinger next Thursday for the official announcement of the T20 Blast, which has proven a huge hit in other regional centres.
A total of 242 children took park in the program in other Central West towns last season, almost tripling the numbers from 2013-14.
The launch coincides with the introduction of a new club into the fray, with senior powerhouse Bathurst City set to branch into the junior ranks in the coming summer.
The Bathurst City Thunder will operate as an arm of the Bathurst City Redbacks and the Thunder will be running the T20 Blast.
Co-ordinator Trent Hemsworth is excited about the opportunity to try and build the player base in Bathurst and inject some life into the summer sport.
“After getting back into cricket over the last two years in a working capacity I’ve often spoken to parents regarding the plateau in numbers and a lot of it simply came down to time and money,” he explained.
“Working with Cricket NSW and with NSW Academy I thought we had an opportunity to get something established that might make cricket a bit more accessible”.
“A lot of parents aren’t suited by Saturday morning cricket, so Friday afternoons are an alternative that can suit. It is after school, it is at the end of the week and parents can enjoy drinks and nibbles while watching their little one have a blast.”
The initiative will incorporate several levels, starting with the in2Cricket program for beginners aged between five and seven, followed by a younger Blast competition for seven to nine-year-olds.
A senior blast for kids up to 12 years old will be staged as well, each running from 5pm on a Friday at the George Park ovals.
Though it will be run by the new Bathurst City club, joining in doesn’t tie a player to the Thunder if they want to play Saturday cricket with a different club.
But it is hoped by City that the idea will provide an alternative in the current scenario that sees two other local junior clubs making up almost the entire competition.
“I can see a possible issue in 10 years or so, where the clubs that don’t really have a junior structure are not being fed with kids that have grown up with that culture of loyalty that you develop by being with one club the whole way through,” Hemsworth said.
“Also, it is about keeping Bathurst cricket healthy for the longer term by getting more kids involved that may not normally become engaged due to current timing restrictions.
“Being part of the Milo program doesn’t mean the kids have to play for Bathurst City by any means. It is run by the club but it won’t mean any obligation to play with them on a Saturday.
“If kids want to play for us on a Friday and again on Saturday morning, we will look at implementing packages to do so if parents show interest in this option.
“It would also be great to see a lot of girls getting involved, I know that Mudgee has had huge success and have five full girls junior teams and that’s something we’d like to emulate.”
The actual playing afternoons will get underway from Friday, October 16 and registration will cost $79-$99 (depending on which program) which includes a participant pack and all equipment provided.
This Thursday will act as a registration day at George Park between 4-5pm where aspiring players can meet Copeland and Bollinger.
For more information, email Trent Hemsworth at bathurstcitythunder@gmail.com, visit the Bathurst City Thunder Facebook page or www.playcricket.com.au.