Inspired to Play: Hardball is a Hit!

On Thursday, April 20, Hatherleigh CC hosted one of the follow-up events from the hardball development day with Western Storm.

Designed to encourage new girls in Years 7 and 8 to play hardball cricket, the initiative has been a great success. "Today has been amazing. I think I'm going to go and join a club now!" was one comment at the end of the day. 

The day hosted Okehampton College and Newton Abbot College, two schools with long-standing cricket activity and very good links with the cricket clubs around them. This means that the schools benefit from a more diverse sport offering for girls and local clubs benefit from new players. 

The day started with a round-robin of activities for the girls, but the main objective of the day was to give them time at the crease, and experience of a game and how it worked. Newton Abbot College had again brought their young leaders, who helped to run the activities, officiate the game and support the girls. 

Once snack was taken and kit was in the changing rooms, the captains went out to the crease to do the toss. Newton Abbot won the toss and elected to bowl. Many of the girls had never played a game of cricket before and some were very nervous, but they were also quite excited by the prospect of playing. 

Okehampton ran well between the wickets and the established players they had in their team helped the newer girls to know when to run and when not. Newton Abbot fielded well and had a team who were all new to cricket - the wicketkeeper was the stand-out player, as she had never done it before and didn't miss one ball!

After lunch, Newton Abbot went into bat. Okehampton bowled well and they were busy in the field. Newton Abbot, newer to the game were just enjoying hitting the ball! The game was full of support for players from both teams to give everything a go and be confident. This helped a few of the more nervous players through their innings and when they came off the pitch they were pleased with how they had done.

At the close of play, teams shook hands and there were smiles all round! 

For cricket, the day achieved exactly what it set out to do: build confidence and teams that can compete. Both Okehampton and Newton Abbot College will go on to compete in the outdoor hardball school competition on July 4 at Teignmouth and Shaldon CC. 

Thanks to the schools for taking part in the day and to Hatherleigh CC for hosting. The sun shining was an added bonus!