MCC Spirit of Cricket

MCC Spirit of Cricket logoWe are now at the final stage of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge for 2007 which means it is Summer Camp Time. You can click on the application form and print one off, read through the details and all of this can be done right up until the 6th of August.

2007 will see Wiltshire entering in to the MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge for the fifth consecutive year. The Challenge is a coaching and playing programme designed to introduce primary school children to the game of Cricket. This coming season will see five primary schools from Warminster participating in the challenge.

The aim of the programme is to introduce the game of cricket to youngsters in a fun and safe environment, thus promoting the spirit of the game. It then aims to facilitate the continuation of schools cricket and the transition of youngsters from schools to clubs through a four stage process. This programme is delivered in four stages:

  1. Schools from the programme have teachers attend an INSET training day. This day helps teachers to know some of the rules and skills involved in cricket and will provide them with the competencies to be able to take back what they have learnt to their class.
  2. Qualified Coaches go into the primary schools to deliver Fun Based Coaching Sessions and games. These sessions continue throughout a whole term.
  3. Upon completion of these coaching sessions the schools then take part in a Skills Award Festival Day where a competitive element to cricket is introduced as the five schools compete against each other.
  4. The final stage of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge is a 3 Day Summer Camp where all children from the scheme, plus others from the area,are encouraged to attend a skills, games and competition based course at a local venue. For 2007, Wiltshire will hold this camp at Warminster Cricket Club, thus giving the children an opportunity to see an example of where they could continue their cricketing careers outside of school.

Overall, the programme is an excellent initiative and means by which children can get involved in the game of Cricket. Therefore, Wiltshire is very proud to be participating in the Challenge for 2007 and is looking forward to seeing the project flourish in the future.