Stars of the future (From Dorset Echo)

Stars of the future

9:25am Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in

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WEEKLY coaching sessions have launched at Osprey Leisure Centre and are aiming to unearth female cricket stars of the future.

Portland Red Triangle and Weymouth crickets clubs have joined forces and reckon the sessions could culminate in the formation of a team to represent the area.

Free classes are on offer for girls between the ages of eight and 18 and coach Grant Neven is hoping to generate more interest in them.

Speaking after the opening session, he said: “The girls that came were really enthusiastic and told me they were going to invite all their friends down for the next one.

“Leaflets have been redistributed around the schools in the area so hopefully more will come down, but those who did were a pleasure to teach.

“Nine sessions are booked in total and if interest is sufficient we will think about adding extra ones. Hopefully we can get to a stage where we have enough girls to form a side.

“There’s a perception that cricket is not a girls’ sport but the results that our women have recently had shows that is untrue.

“Sessions like these give girls a chance to learn about the game and improve. And who knows, one day we may have someone from Dorset in the national team.”

In their first session, the youngsters practised basic cricketing skills and they all showed a great deal of athleticism with scope to learn.

The classes are taking place every Monday between 4pm and 5pm and have materialised following an ECB initiative to raise interest levels in girls’ cricket.