Northern Territory Cricket played its biggest ever role in Play Cricket Week, with the conclusion of the Top End T20 Series aligning to the nationwide campaign and delivering a host of Big Bash and International players into schools to promote cricket.
‘Play Cricket Week’ (August 19-25) aims to encourage young players of all skill levels and experience to sign up to play for the 2024/2025 cricket season. This year’s theme was “Cricket Anywhere” and emphasised that cricket is a sport for all that is not restricted to a field, backyard or beach.
Following a record-breaking year of participation in Woolworths Cricket Blast program in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, NT Cricket aims to continue to increase cricket participation in all regions of the Territory.
With the Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers and Tasmania Tigers all in Darwin for the Top End T20 Series, the Big Bash Franchises and State Teams all took time out of their schedule to visit schools within the Darwin community and run clinics, Q&A’s and giveaways.
Across Australia, NT Cricket had one of the highest representations of professional cricketers feature in their Play Cricket Week campaign, including showcasing cricketing heroes such as Scott Boland, Will Sutherland, Jhye Richardson, Marcus Harris and Todd Murphy who have all represented Australia.
Former local NT players Darcy Short, Jake Weatherald and Kane Richardson also played a key role in inspiring local Darwin school kids, speaking about their respective journeys from NT pathways to professional cricket.
Further initiatives included a ‘captains call’ photoshoot at Mindil Beach promoting winter cricket, the announcement of September school holiday clinics (including a two-day girls only clinic) and the launch of a new Alice Springs Woolworths Cricket Blast Program (announced by former local player Kane Richardson).
NT Head of Cricket - Nick Winter
“NT Cricket was thrilled to be able to align Play Cricket Week with the Top End T20 Series, and the opportunity to get current professional cricketers engaging within local schools and communities will certainly leave a lasting impression for these young boys and girls.
“I was fortunate enough to attend several of these Play Cricket Week events, and the engagement between players and local children was sensational. The best way to engage young children is through having fun – and all I saw was kids smiling, laughing, being active with their friends and giving cricket a try.”
Play Cricket Week – Darwin Summary:
- Thursday: ‘Captains Call’ photo shoot – Mindil Beach
- Tuesday: Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars Visit – Good Shepherd Lutheran College and Sacred Heart Primary School
- Wednesday: Melbourne Stars Visit – Malak Primary School
- Thursday: Adelaide Strikers Visit – Howard Springs Primary School; Tasmania Tigers Visit – Bakewell Primary School
- Friday: Melbourne Renegades Visit – Ludmilla Primary School
- Monday: Adelaide Strikers Visit – Nightcliff Primary School; Darcy Short and Jake Weatherald Visit – Parap Primary School; & Perth Scorchers Visit – Larrakeyah Primary School and Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Play Cricket Week – Alice Springs Summary:
- Monday: Cricket Clinic – Yipirinya School
- Tuesday: Cricket Clinic - Yipirinya School
- Wednesday: Cricket Clinic – Living Waters Lutheran School; & launch of Alice Springs Woolworths Cricket Blast (delivered by Kane Richardson)
- Thursday: Cricket Clinic – Bradshaw Primary School
- Friday: Assembly Promotion – Braitling School; & Cricket clinic – Living Waters Lutheran School
If you are interested in registering for any of upcoming cricket activities, please register below:
Alice Springs Woolworths Cricket Blast (4x Sundays from 1-22 September – Flynn Drive Oval)
Girls Only Holiday Blast (23-24 September – DXC Arena)
School Holiday Cricket Clinic with Bobby Quiney (25-27 September – DXC Arena)