Former international cricketer Kerry Walmsley and Black Cap Nathan McCullum visited College Street School yesterday to inspire a new generation of cricketers into the sport.
The two men ran a cricket skills session at the school as part of the Hooked on Cricket programme which targets low-decile schools where cricket is not so popular.
Programme manager Walmsley said they had been coming to Dunedin for three years and it was the first time they had come to College Street School.
The programme offered scholarships for young people who wanted to play cricket and showed potential.
"Cricket fees and gear can be a wee bit expensive, so we want to help Mum and Dad out," he said.
A tournament day will be held on October 20 at the Edgar Centre, with eight Dunedin schools taking part.
Schools would get another coaching session after the school holidays to prepare them for the tournament, he said.
"It's about keeping the momentum going and giving them a positive cricket experience."
Eight children would be chosen from each school to compete in the knockout tournament.
Each team would be captained by an Otago Volts player and would be playing for a trophy.
Otago Volts players saw giving up their time to take part as a direct way of giving back to the community, he said.
"Players are always willing to put their hand up and help."
Volts player and Black Cap McCullum said it was great to see young girls and boys getting into cricket and he enjoyed helping them develop their talent.
The Hooked on Cricket programme was organised by the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association and funded through the New Zealand Community Trust.
- Nick Rees
