Children in Newtownabbey are being encouraged to sign up for a new Cricket Academy opening at the University of Ulster next week.
Budding Freddie Flintoffs can take advantage of some of the best cricket coaching skills on offer thanks to the University’s partnership with long-established Cliftonville Cricket Club.
The new Cliftonville Cricket Academy, based at the Jordanstown campus, will be headed up by Cricket Development Officer, Andy McCulloch.
He said: “The aim of the Academy is to offer a high level of cricket coaching to children from the age of eight up to 16 years of age. Starting with a five-week course for under 11’s, children will be offered weekly quality coaching, while making it fun and enjoyable.
“The Cricket Academy coaching will be aligned with Cricket Ireland to provide all age groups and abilities the appropriate levels of training and coaching to ensure they not only learn the fundamentals of the game of cricket, but that it gets children active and learning new skills.
“Cliftonville Cricket Club put great emphasis on welcoming children from all backgrounds as well as abilities. Whether your child has never picked a cricket bat up or has played for a number of years, the club is confident that the new Cricket Academy can help develop individuals’ skill levels.”
Head of Sports Services at the University of Ulster, Dr Nigel Dobson, said: “ We are delighted to begin this new initiative with Cliftonville Cricket Club and encourage local boys and girls to get involved in an exciting and fast growing sport. This new programme builds on the strong tradition of the University in helping develop top club cricketers such as Kyle McCallan and Andrew White.”
Already the club has seen a high level of interest from local parents keen to enrol their children. There are 40 spaces in the Under 11s. The cost is £2 per night or £10 for the five weeks.
The Junior’s will have teams taking part in active league competitions this season at under 11, under 13 and under 15 level.
Further details regarding Under 13s and Under 15s sessions will be released in the New Year.
The Academy will hold its first training sessions on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.
For more information contact the Club Development Officer – Andy McCulloch on 078 8308 5112.