Fifty clubs in Devon taking part in new All Stars Cricket youth programme

FIFTY cricket clubs in Devon will launch their All Stars programmes next week as the ECB’s young players initiative gets under way.

From Holsworthy to Uplyme and Ilfracombe to Plymouth, clubs all over the county have signed up for All Stars.

In Okehampton – where there has not been an adult cricket club since 2001 – the Okehampton Community Recreation Association is running an All Stars programme.

Matt Cooke, one of the cricket development officers for Devon, is the All Stars project manager for Devon.

Cooke said the aim of the All Stars programme is to get youngsters interested in cricket for the first time.

“We want to show five to eight year olds through All Stars that cricket can be fun,” said Cooke.

“The response from cricket clubs at all levels in Devon has been tremendous, all the way from senior clubs such as Sidmouth and Exeter down to South Brent, who are a relatively new club, to Sidbury, who aren’t in any league at all but want to get more youngsters involved.

“It’s good to see clubs co-operating with each other to run All Stars sessions. Lewdown and Bridestowe have got together because they can see the wider benefits of getting youngsters interested in cricket.

An All Stars session at a club is one hour a week for eight weeks with he emphasis on fun.

“We want boys and girls to have a great first experience playing cricket – and for the mums and dads to join in too,” said Cooke.

“There will be small-sides games with plastic bats and balls and activities that encourage basic cricket skills.

“Parents are absolutely encouraged to take part. We are saying to them come and and have an hour a week with your children having some fun on a cricket ground.

“All Stars Cricket is unlike any other kids' sporting activity.

“The programme is built on solid foundations of social and physical development for children.

“Our centres and activators are trained to provide every child with a great first experience in cricket.

“The eight weeks will be action packed, with fun games and the chance to learn new skills.”

Clubs are already devising their own follow-up programmes to keep the new cricketers involved after All Stars ends in early July.

To find the club nearest where you live running the All Stars initiative, go to https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars and follow the search prompts, or click the banner at the foot of this page.

Registration is £40 per child and every child who signs up will receive an All Stars branded backpack full of goodies, including a cricket bat, ball, All Stars water bottle and a personalised cap and shirt. The goodies will be delivered to your door.

The last date for registrations is May 19.

The full list of clubs running All Stars in Devon is: Abbotskerswell, Alphington, Ashburton, Axminster, Barnstaple & Pilton, Barton, Bideford, Bovey Tracey., Bradninch, Brixham, Budleigh Salterton, Chelston & Kingskerswell, Chudleigh, Cornwood, Cullompton, Culmstock, Dartington & Tontes, Exeter, Exmouth, Feniton, Filleigh, Hatherleigh, Heathcoat, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Ivybridge, Kentisbeare, Lewdown & Bridestowe, North Devon, OCRA, Ottery, Paignton, Plymouth CS&R, Plymouth, Plympton, Sampford Peverell, Sandford, Seaton, Shaldon, Sidbury, Sidmouth, South Devon, Tavistock, Thorverton,. Torquay, Uplyme, Whimple, Yelverton