GALLERY: Bats and bowls at action cricket

Young ones are kept fit, busy and healthy every Sunday at the Action Arena in Hillfox with an exciting game of action cricket. Mostly boys, but one girl was yelling, chatting about strategy and laughing while throwing balls around and swinging their bats on 14 February, while parents looked on with pride.

Debbie Newberry, coordinator at Hillfox Action Cricket, said that the children range from ages eight to 17 years. The coaches were divided into five groups according to their age and capability. Some groups run around the wickets and other groups work on hand-eye coordination while throwing balls to their friends. An open day will take place on 28 February for children to play against each other.

“We have trials on 12 March for the inter provincial tournament. The children chosen for this is part of the Western Gauteng team,” said Newberry. She further explained that they choose nine children per team with only one reserve as the young children, don’t really want to sit on the bench. “Children that do well in the provincial tournament can get chosen for the SAs.”

Newberry mentioned that one of the coaches took the U19 team to Australia in 2015 where they won a silver medal. She added that they give the children the opportunity to play small games by inviting other action arenas in the area to play against them. “Action cricket is important as it keeps them away from the TV and Xbox games. It also helps to get rid of any access energy and frustrations they might have,” said Newberry.

With the many voices of children filling the arena, it is clear that the children make new friends even though they are not all in the same school.

Details: Debbie Newberry, debbie@trsa.co.za.

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