This year was the sixth occasion that we have run the Cricket Leinster Easter coaching clinics. We have gone from 30 girls taking part in 2012 (held outdoors at Leinster CC) to 76 girls at this year’s clinics. Between Monday and Thursday last week, clinics were delivered for U11, U13, U15 and U17 girls squads. These all took place at St Columba’s College in Rathfarnham. It was wonderful to see the talent that is coming through from such a spread of clubs: Clontarf, Greystones, Leinster, Malahide, Merrion, Pembroke, Phoenix, Rush, Terenure, The Hills and YMCA.

In addition to the above, a Wicketkeeping clinic was delivered by Dublin City Council’s CCDO, Fintan McAllister to 15 keen participants.

It is with great thanks and we again acknowledge the County Councils’ support towards the game of cricket in Leinster. We had the experience of Reinhardt Strydom (Fingal CC), Naomi Scott-Hayward (South Dublin CC), Fintan McAllister (Dublin City County Council), Diarmuid Lynch (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown) and the Leinster Development Manager Brían O'Rourke all attending during the week in a coaching capacity. In addition, we also had Rob O’Connor & Vanessa Kelada sharing their knowledge with the girls and also James Smith who attended to obtain some coaching experience. We would like to thank Sport Ireland, who supported this event through the Women In Sport programme, and St. Columba's College for their facilities.

Next on the girls’ provincial schedule is the Summer programme. This is made up of training camps, blitz competitions, training matches and most notably the MBD Festivals. This year, for the first time, our U17 Girls squad are going to a cricket festival. We also have our U13 and U15 squads continuing their development and attending the MBD Festivals. See below the full girls’ programmes.

U11 Leinster Girls Programme

• U11 Girls Blitz for All Players in Leinster: July 6th 9.30am – 12.30pm
• U11 Girls Camp for All Players in Leinster: August 20th, 21st, 22nd
• U11 Girls Blitz for All Players in Leinster: August 23rd 9.30am – 12.30pm

Note: There will be additional sessions held in clubs as coach education workshops for club coaches as well as sessions for the girls. Pembroke has provisionally confirmed for Monday 21st May from 4.30 – 5.30pm. This will act as a Hub for the Dublin City Centre club coaches to attend (Pembroke, Railway Union, Merrion, YMCA). We hope to do at least one session in each area across the season: Dublin City Centre, Fingal, Dun Laoighre-Rathdown, South Dublin, Wicklow & Midlands.

U13 Leinster Girls Programme

• U13 Girls Blitz for All Players in Leinster: July 6th 1.30 - 4.30pm
• U13 Training Camp for Leinster Reduced Squad: July 9th,10th 9.30am – 12.30pm
• U13 Camp for All players in Leinster: July 16th,17th 9.30am – 12.30pm
• U13 T20 Day (Oppositions tbc): July 13th
• 2 X Training Days for Leinster U13 Squad for MBD Festival: Tuesdays 31st July & 7th August
• U13 MBD Festival at Malvern College: August 9th - 12th

U15 Leinster Girls Programme

• U15 Training Camp for Leinster Reduced Squad: July 9th,10th 12.30pm – 3.30pm
• U15 Training Camp for All Players in Leinster: July 16th,17th 12.30pm – 3.30pm
• U15 T20 Day (oppositions tbc): July 23rd
• U15 50 Over (opposition tbc): July 24th
• 1 X Training Days for Leinster U15 Squad for MBD Festival (Friday 27th July)
• U15 MBD Festival at Malvern College: July 29th – August 1st

U17 Leinster Girls Programme

• U17 Training Camp for Leinster Reduced Squad: July 9th,10th 3.30pm – 6.30pm
• U17 Training Camp for All Players in Leinster: July 16th,17th 3.30pm – 6.30pm
• Match Days (1x T20 day, 1x 40/50over - oppositions to be confirmed) July 11th & July 12th
• U17 MBD Festival at Malvern College: July 15th – 19th

Irish squad tours

U15: MBD Festival at Malvern College, August 6th – 9th

U19: MBD Festival at Malvern College, July 15th – 19th

Report written by Naomi Scott-Hayward, Co-ordinator of the Cricket Leinster Girls' Youth Programme

All photos are with thanks to Rodney Smythe