Alberton cricket juniors and Bradman’s reach out
Alberton Cricket Club Juniors hosted Golden Bells Cricket Club at their inaugural under 11 tournament. All the boys there enjoyed the day, but none more so than the 11 boys from Golden Bells.
ALBERTON – During 2013 parents of the Alberton Cricket Club were encouraged to bring in cricket equipment that they no longer used. Parents took the call to heart, became involved and brought in many pieces of equipment during the year.
Ultimately 15 bats, 11 pairs of batting gloves, 17 pairs of leg pads, eight helmets and a number of hip and arm pads were donated. Bradman’s cricket shop did not hesitate when asked and kindly donated 11 abdominal protectors.
Coach Harry Boyle from Alberton Cricket Club identified Golden Bells Cricket Club as a possible recipient of the donated equipment, after playing a fixture against them and noticing that the boys exchanged bats, helmets and leg pads before coming in to bat. It seemed that the team barely had enough to play the game safely.
Early on the last Saturday of January the kit was handed over. Coach Jackie Mafa from Golden Bells said it was fitting that the Golden Bells team played their first match in their new protective equipment and their new bats against Alberton Cricket Club.
Much to their surprise the Golden Bells boys were not tasked to play against the Alberton boys, but with them as the teams were shuffled to allow the boys to play together – learning from each other and breaking down barriers.
48 boys played 66 overs each in a round-robin format and ended the tournament tired, but happy. It was a day all the boys will remember. And a great start to the cricketing year.
Alberton Cricket Club Juniors are urging members of the public and schools to donate used equipment to the club, so that they can bring smiles to cricketers who love the game, but do not have the means.
Contact Eugene 084 598 9885 if you need more information on where to drop off used cricket equipment.
