Having recently been appointed as Cricket in the Community Development Officer for South Dublin County Council /Cricket Leinster, I am eagerly anticipating the challenges that lie ahead in this new exciting role. Already, Brían O’Rourke and Andrew Leonard (who has recently commenced a new marketing role with Cricket Ireland) have carried out introductory and foundation work in the area and it will be my task to build on and further progress this development.
One of my main roles will be to introduce and implement a sustainable cricket programme into many of the Primary Schools. This will involve school coaching visits to children of all abilities and the organisation of a series of ‘Kwik Cricket’ blitzes that all schools can participate in. Coupled with this, a programme of teacher training will be carried out so that cricket will become an integral part of the PE curriculum within the schools. Equipment required to play ‘Kwik Cricket’ in the school yard or sports hall will be made available to the schools in South Dublin.
Cricket develops self-discipline, fairplay and teamwork. An objective of the Cricket Programme in South Dublin County Council will be to strengthen these core values in the participating young people at all times.
Another major benefit that cricket will bring to the area is its popularity within many ethnic groups. This popularity will play an important role in integrating young people from diverse backgrounds into Irish society.
Currently the SDCC area has a population of nearly a quarter of a million people but only one cricket club, Adamstown CC, which was only set up two years ago. I shall be working very hard to strengthen the club / schools link in this area
Adamstown is based in the north of the county and the establishment and support of a club in the south of the county in Tallaght is a medium term aim.
This project presents us with some great opportunities.
We aim to put structures in place that will help to build a sustainable cricket culture in the county. Educating new coaches and developing new playing and training facilities will be fundamental to the project. The area is very fertile ground for sporting talent, with top Irish sport stars like Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne, Kenny Egan and Bernard Dunne all hailing from the area. There is no reason in years to come why many of the next generation of Leinster and Irish representative players cannot come from the SDCC area.
My new role also affords me an exciting opportunity to work with the Leinster underage squads. I came through this system myself and know how much it benefited my cricket career. I have had the good fortune to work with some top coaches and players, not just in cricket but other sports as well. My aim is to share the experience and expertise that I have gained over the years with the Leinster underage squads.
Improving fielding standards and developing players individual work ethic is something I want to pay particular attention to. I will be monitoring closely young talented fast bowlers as well because these are needed in Irish cricket!
March has seen the SDCC Cricket Development plan been rolled out across the county. This plan was formulated by Andrew Leonard after much research of best practice of Sports Development in Ireland and abroad.
Nearly twenty schools have been involved in the programme so far. From schools such as St. Mary’s NS, Saggart in the south of the county, who are experiencing cricket in the school yard for the first time, to Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan in the north who are preparing for their junior and senior league campaign. All schools whatever their need have been catered for. Cricket has been introduced recently to both St Mark's Community College and St MacDaras Community College with a view to entering a blitz in May. The six Leprechaun Cup schools will start their preparations in earnest after Easter. Another school worth a mention is St. Martin de Porres NS, Tallaght. Former Ireland internationals Heather and Roger Whelan were pupils here and cricket is being re introduced after a break of nearly twenty years.
Last weekend saw the first ever Level 1 Coaching Course take place in the area and its exciting that many of the participants are currently involved in developing the sport in schools and clubs across the SDCC area. Preparations have begun for an 'Introduction to Cricket Coaching' course which will be held in Tallaght Leisure Centre on Wednesday, April18th. Anyone wishing to take part should contact Kenny Carroll on 087 275 74 86 or kennycarroll20@gmail.com.
Its exciting times for cricket in Ireland and the South Dublin County area in particular. Thousands of youngsters want to play the game. We need all the help we can get. If you would like to support the Development Programme in any way whatsoever please get in touch with me at the number provided.
I look forward to 2012 being a great year for cricket in Ireland!