The school holiday programmes have been run by Cricket Wellington for several seasons, offering the opportunity for the region?s younger players to receive valuable coaching, as well as have some fun while away from the playground.
By Tim O?Connell
While the big boys have all but packed away their gear for the winter the young guns of the future enjoy one last opportunity to roll their arm over in the school holidays. April is often a month of extreme contrasts weather-wise, as anyone who was at the Basin Reserve test match at the start of the month will attest. But when the capital is home to some wonderful indoor cricketing facilities, the chance to embrace the summer game can continue well into the cooler, breezier time of the year. The school holiday programmes have been run by Cricket Wellington for several seasons, offering the opportunity for the region?s younger players to receive valuable coaching, as well as have some fun while away from the playground. Young cricketers in the Hutt had the opportunity to enjoy a final hit out during the first week of the holidays, with the same programme taking place at the Hutt Recreation ground indoor facility from April 13-17. While all facets of the game of cricket were taught with the help of local club and representative players, the highlight for many of the players attending the week-long event was facing up to the bowling machine. But while these practice machines are capable of sending down leather missiles up to 140kph, for safety?s sake the speed was kept well below the pace of the world?s fastest bowlers. Afternoon sessions also took place for those seeking some advanced coaching. For kids in the northern suburbs as well as players from Kapiti and Horowhenua,the Ngatitoa Domain complex hosted the holiday programme in the final week of the school holidays, from April 20-24.
