There was plenty of colour and enthusiasm at Kitchener Park last Friday as more than 30 girls aged from 5 to 12 took part in the School Holiday Colour Bash.
Funded by the Play Our Way grant courtesy of the federal government, the free program encourages girls to take up cricket while introducing them to the sport in a fun and enjoyable environment.
Most of the girls who participated at Kitchener Park were new to cricket, while some had a brother with cricketing experience.
There were beginner-level games, skills and drills featuring aspects such as throwing, catching and hitting the ball.
One game involved sliding on one’s stomach on a water slide while fielding a ball.
There was also plenty of playing around as the children sprayed each other with pink, purple, yellow, blue and green powder.
It didn’t take long for the white shirts to be splattered with an array of colours, while being wet due to the use of water pistols.
Music also played over a sound system, with songs including Good feeling, Shake it off, and Shotgun.
Northern Inland cricket manager Rebecca Gander said the event was “a great trial to come and try cricket, have some fun in the holidays and consider social girls cricket in term one”.
One of the participants, Josie McDonald, said she didn’t like cricket beforehand but liked it afterwards.
“When I heard of it I thought it was boring, when I came to it I thought it was fun,” she said.
Josie came along with family members, and said she made new friends and was keen to take up the sport.
One of the girls with cricket experience was Madelyn Whitton, who has played in the Gunnedah-based Friday afternoon competition during school terms.
Madelyn said she liked watching the Big Bash, but enjoyed playing the sport more than watching it.
Madelyn said she had been practicing her bowling, in particular straightening her arm.
Bella Ryan.
Emme Swain.
Stella Bunner admires her shot while Cricket NSW program coordinator Hudson Eichorn looks on.
Josie McDonald, Stella Bunner, Emme Swain and Sophie Fleming.
Matisse Walters, Bronte Fleming, Madelyn Whitton and Connie Riordan.
The School Holiday Colour Bash drew a large gathering at Kitchener Park last Friday.
Pippa Berryman, Josie McDonald and Isabel Warmoll give Hudson Eichorn a splash of colour.
Syd the Sydney Sixers Mascot with Bronte Fleming, Kallie Walters, Allie Neilsen, Matisse Walters and Sophie Fleming.
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