Cricket is alive and on the move in the Outback of South Australia.
The ground swell in the outback communities of Leigh Creek, Hawker, Quorn, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs has been impressive.
Over the past two weeks Upper North Junior Cricket Council Chairperson/CEO John Warner and Under 14
Coach Greg Bailey did a whistle stop tour of the Area Schools in those communities.
Mr Warner and Mr Bailey conducted skill and coaching sessions for Under 14 and 16 boys and girls who are interested in playing cricket.
In Leigh Creek discussions were held with Ruth Wright holding a cricket carnival at Outback Schools this year.
All perpetual trophies for the winning team have been donated by various groups with the Upper North Junior Cricket Council donating the John Warner Perpetual Trophy.
The team that displays the right attitude and behaviour will receive the Spirit of Cricket Award which has been donated by the South Australian Cricket Association.
Leigh Creek Cricket Club have provided the award for the Best Batsman while the Outback Areas Community Development Trust have put forward the Best Bowler.
Wayne Robinson, Secretary Northern Flinders Cricket Association has sought sponsorship to provide the white cricket balls for the Carnival.
It is hoped that Marree, Leigh Creek, Hawker, Quorn, Woomera, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta and Roxby Downs Area and Aboriginal Schools will participate in a six-a-side competition in Leigh Creek later this year.
Mr Bailey held sessions in Leigh Creek, Hawker and Quorn to identify talented players to be selected in the Upper North Training Squads.
The squads will undertake sessions in Port Augusta and Whyalla in the month of September.
The visits created a lot of interest from both boys and girls.
In Coober Pedy ther was a lot of interest generated by the local school.
Mr Bailey conducted coaching and skill sessions for interested boys and girls to identify future talent as well as encourage the development of junior cricket in the community.
Helping out was Mr Darryl Borrett the driving force to re-establish cricket in the community, especially a junior cricket competition.
The Junior Council is working closely with Mr Borrett and his committee to establish a Centre of Excellence in cricket in Coober Pedy.
They are exploring all avenues to seek financial support to lay a concrete pitch with a carpet surface and an artificial grass covering and two practice nets at Oxiana Oval in the not to distance future.
The last port of call was the Roxby Downs Area School with the session held being well attended and supported by the teaching staff and young people who had a genuine interest in playing cricket and a desire to further their skill development in the game of cricket.
Overall the visits were a great success to help identify the talented players but also to promote the game in the Outback of South Australia.
A special vote of thanks to Mr Bailey for his commitment to the junior development of youth in the Outback.
His work should not go unnoticed, nor should the support provided to the Junior Council in making this trip possible at this time of the year.
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