Young cricket stars shine during tournament

On November 8, Arthur Matthews Primary hosted a thrilling KFC Mini cricket tournament at Cecil Payne Stadium, bringing together over 10 schools and their U7s, U8s and U9s teams.

The event showcased the talent of young and developing cricketers from Florida Islamic Primary, Westbury Primary, Dowling Primary and many more.

Under the guidance of dedicated teachers and coaches, these budding athletes navigated their skills in cricket, forging friendships and memories beyond the classroom. The tournament’s emphasis on socialisation, sportsmanship, and fun created an electric atmosphere, perfect for introducing the next generation to the joys of cricket.

According to Justin Nedt, the Central Hub head coach, the mini-cricket programme serves as a grassroots initiative, utilising softballs to make the game accessible and engaging for young participants.

“Our goal is to simplify the game, ignite their passion, and pave the way for a seamless transition to hardball cricket,” he explained.

“This programme has been around the area for a strong 25 years and the learners are receiving it well. We have other young players that have graduated from us and are now playing for provincial teams,” he adds.

Justin says laying a solid foundation is crucial in developing and producing exceptional cricket players.