Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
With an eye on creating best experiences for Cricket Blasters in the new season, Cricket NSW’s Community Cricket staff from across the state participated in an updated and refreshed Woolworths Cricket Blast ‘Train the Trainer’ in-service at Cricket Central in August.
The program concentrated on upskilling staff, who in turn, will support the army of Cricket Blast coordinators and parent helpers across NSW, most of whom are volunteers, to provide the best possible experience for 5-10-year-old Cricket Blasters.
CALLING PARENT HELPERS! REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR LOCAL SESSION
Also in focus was the updates to the Cricket Blast program for this season, the recruitment of parent helpers in clubs, and the important transition of Cricket Blast participants into a club’s junior team.
The revisions to Woolworths Cricket Blast this season are on the back of significant research and to reflect the needs of the 5-10-year-old children.
The main changes in place for the 2023/24 season are:
- Cricket Blast is now one program making it significantly easier to understand and register
- A simplified curriculum with updated coordinator resources has been developed, which features tailored games and activities across three levels based on skill, a weekly skill focus for all abilities, and a priority on development occurring through game-based learning to maximise fun.
- An exciting new supplier has been engaged, resulting in participants receiving their Cricket Blast packs quicker than in previous seasons.
Martin Gleeson, General Manager, Community Cricket Experience, Cricket NSW, said:
“Woolworths Cricket Blast is the crucial entry level program for the sport. With a 35% growth in participants last season the interest in cricket and the access to the game is growing rapidly.
“The role of the club is crucial in providing a fun and engaging experience for boys and girls in their community. Most of our club coordinators are volunteers and we want to provide them with ideas, resources and support to assist them in providing that quality experience.
“We are rolling out Cricket Blast information sessions across NSW over the coming weeks so that parents and Cricket Blast coordinators can understand the changes for this season, receive the resources, experience the games and activities and learn how they can contribute to the development of their child through cricket.”
