Occasional cricket coaching visits had been made over the past few years to primary schools in the Wexford Town area, for example attending and providing cricket on a school’s annual sports day.
For some time, I had an idea for providing a more coherent and sustained approach for introducing cricket to a wider base throughout the County. With this in mind I approached Cricket Leinster and Sports Active Wexford and a meeting was arranged at the County Hall on 28th January 2016. I presented my ideas at this meeting which was attended by Fran Ronan and Mary T. Kehoe from Sports Active and Brian O’Rourke and Peter Searson from Cricket Leinster. As a result of this meeting and taking into consideration suggestions from Fran Ronan, especially to include DEIS schools in the project, I subsequently submitted a detailed itinerary to Fran and a Service Level Agreement between Sports Active Wexford, Wexford Schools Cricket and Cricket Leinster was agreed and signed by all the partners.
I contacted a number of schools to see if they were willing to take part in the project and just one school declined, as they said they had no facilities on the premises. In all eleven schools were included, namely Kilanerin NS, Central School Gorey, Educate Together Gorey, Loreto Gorey, Riverchapel NS, Kilnamanagh NS, Ballaghkeene NS, Curracloe NS, Faythe NS, Barntown NS and Scoil Realt na Mara Kilmore.
Cricket Leinster provided me with clothing and equipment and I was ready to start. The programme commenced on 10th April and I was immediately struck by the enthusiasm shown by the children involved. The vast majority of the pupils had little or no knowledge about the game of cricket but they were extremely cooperative and keen and they quickly learned the various skills the game has to offer.
In all 784 girls and boys received coaching and when follow up sessions are included the number rises to 1394. Catching, fielding, throwing, bowling and batting skills were taught and each session finished with a game of cricket. In the first few weeks, games of kwik cricket were played with the emphasis being placed on full participation and fun but after a few weeks the children progressed to playing full games of cricket. I was truly amazed at how far the children progressed in such a short period of time.
I would like to thank all the children and their teachers and principals for the support given to me and the other coaches. It was a joy to turn up to each of the schools and to have received such warm welcomes from the pupils and staff.
The highlight of the programme was a four-team cricket blitz that took place at Gorey Cricket Club's ground at Bolaney on 8th June. The ground staff at the Club had the ground in immaculate condition with two pitches prepared to ensure all four teams could play at the same time.
The sunny weather also helped as a most enjoyable morning's cricket took place. The skills and knowledge that the children had learned over the few weeks was amazing. To think that eight weeks previously these children knew little or nothing about the game and here they were participating in full 20 over games.
I would like to acknowledge the help and support given by Fran Ronan and the staff at Sports Active Wexford and to Brian O'Rourke and Cricket Leinster. And of course a special thank you to all the coaches and assistants who helped me. The Gorey crew: Mark Leonard and Chris Sheeran who were ever present when needed and Cliff Stewart, Vincent Murphy and Anslem who assisted when available. Thanks to Al Fitzgerald for liaising with the schools and to Luca Forte and David Corcoran who helped out in the Wexford Town area.
Finally, a few comments from school principals
'As a school we have experience of external coaches coming in to teach various sports, from tennis and rugby to GAA. However, the pupils themselves all agreed that the cricket coaching was the most enjoyable. I would highly recommend the cricket coaching to any primary school and look forward to availing of the program again next year if feasible.'
'A number of our teachers have plans to continue with cricket sessions, as part of the school’s PE programme.'
'The children really enjoyed it and teachers were delighted with the fact that the children learned a new sport in a fun environment. They were very complimentary of your approach and we would be delighted to receive coaching again later this school year.'
'Both class groups that took part found the training and games exciting and fun-filled. The coaches explained the activities and rules very well and all sessions were on time and well-organised.'
Herbie Honohan,
Community Cricket Coach – Co Wexford.