England cricketer bowls in to 'Summer of Sport'

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England cricketer bowls in to 'Summer of Sport'

Ashley Giles is bowling into town this week to help Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) launch a new sports project for young people. 'Summer of Sport' is being organised by the council�s sports development team to encourage young people to take up sport and physical activity. With sponsorship provided by electricity supplier npower, 'Summer of Sport' aims to reach young people aged eight to eighteen from across the borough.

Cricketing star Ashley Giles makes his guest appearance on Thursday 12 July at St Benedict's Sports College, where a display of 'urban cricket' will be given by pupils from Gardners Lane Primary School, Rowanfield Juniors and St Benedicts School.

Matt Baker, the council's youth sports development officer, said: "This year's Summer of Sport is going to be huge, with our Sportszone roadshow visiting schools across the town for three-hour sessions of 'drop in' coaching, a choice of sports specific camps - which will concentrate on sports such as basketball, cricket, dance and athletics - and informal sport in the parks by qualified coaches.�

npower, which sponsors the urban cricket scheme nationally, is donating 1,500 urban cricket kits to Summer of Sport for young people who would not traditionally play cricket. The kits consist of a plastic bat and tennis ball with tape, to enable the ball to swing, in a lightweight case.

Matt Baker commented: "We aim to reach out to as many young people as possible and offer something appealing for everyone. The idea of urban cricket, for example, is that it can be played any time, anywhere. Our informal sports sessions in the parks will see our experienced and qualified coaches meeting young people and offering a range of sports - to play there and then - such as tennis, football, baseball and cricket."

He added: "We will be taking urban cricket to the Cheltenham Cricket Festival this summer to give young people involved a chance to show off their skills in front of an appreciative crowd."

Posted : 13/07/2007 01:13:11

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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