5 days ago
Young players flock to Horwich RMI CC festival
A new cricket festival was held at Horwich RMI Cricket Club bringing together 100 girls from 10 cricket clubs across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
History was made as girls' teams aged eight to 11 from Horwich, Westhoughton, Woodbank and Egerton cricket clubs all made their match debuts.
The English Cricket Board (ECB) Dynamos Cricket programme inspired the festival, offering subsidised fun and engaging sessions to equip youngsters with the fundamental skills and experience to play cricket.
Each team took part in four Dynamo matches giving young cricketers their first taste of competitive cricket. Every player - regardless of experience - was given the opportunity to bat, bowl and field.
The teams were cheered on by parents, the Mayors of Horwich and Blackrod along with Emirates Old Trafford mascot, Lanky the Giraffe.
The event was supported by Lancashire Cricket Foundation and local club partners.
Jen Barden, LCF managing director, stated: 'It was fantastic to see the ground full of young female cricketers, many playing in their first ever game.
'I loved seeing the girls having success, hitting boundaries, taking a wicket, a catch and most importantly having fun!'
She added: 'The girls' game is growing at pace and it's great to see so many clubs embracing it, providing access to girls'-only sessions and genuinely seeing their clubs grow.'
Throughout the afternoon, club coaches noted dramatic improvements in bowling accuracy, batting technique and communication on the field.
Parents watched on with pride as their daughters experienced both the highs and challenges of the game.
The festival structure meant there were no outright winners, placing emphasis on participation and fun.
Each player received Manchester Originals' merchandise and a Lancashire Cricket Foundation medal by Barden and Ashley Fletcher, Bolton-raised Blackpool FC professional footballer and former Horwich RMI Cricket Club junior player.
Fletcher said: 'This is where my journey in sport began. To come back and see the club now giving girls the same opportunities I had is something special. I'm incredibly proud.'
Phil Cavill, of Horwich RMI CC, paid tribute to all who had helped stage the event - from the support of Kay Baig, LCF club support officer for girls, to the tireless efforts of the club's volunteers.
'We have a proud history of developing young cricketers,' he said, 'and our newly-formed girls' section signals our intent to provide more opportunities for girls to play cricket from a young age.'
