Dundrum Cricket Club are to start a very ambitious coaching schools’ programme next week with six primary schools involved – All Children’s Integrated, Newcastle Primary, Carnacaville Primary, Castlewellan Primary, Annsborough Primary and Sacred Heart Dundrum writes Jeff Maquire.
The eight-week programme will culminate with a finals day in June. Three secondary schools are also involved – Kilkeel High,St Malachy’s Castlewellan and Shimna Integrated College. There is a specific focus on getting girls involved in the coaching with the ambition of Dundrum forming a girls team. The fact that the club is not charging anything and providing a free cricket set for each school to keep is testament to the small village club and shows that they are trying to push the great game of cricket to everyone in the community. The club now has three level 2 coaches and seven level 1 coaches fully trained.
Dundrum have bounced back from two arson attacks in the nineties, built a new pavilion and have been rebuilding ever since with this year. More drainage boundary extension and recently broadband has been set upon the club, with a new scorebox and carpark. And at last electricity is down to the scorebox which will help get more use of the bowling machine.
The senior practice starts next Tuesday and Thursday at 6:15 (weather permitting) and the juniors U-11/13 and Minis start the following week (Monday 25th April) with U-15 on Wednesday 27th. All new members no matter what age are welcome and its hoped to run ladies and girls nights very soon and Prem Ahire, our Indian overseas coach, will be working with every team and school.
The club committee have been working non-stop over the winter and after having no Junior section seven years ago they signed their first overseas coach Sri Lankan Manoj Fernando and they now have a very successful set up with 11/13/15/17 teams and with tours planned to Dublin and England this year which is on the back of two trips to Scotland over the last two years.
The club has had a number of members attend cricket coaching and first aid courses and there are plans for the club to obtain Clubmark NI accreditation this year. In addition the club will be rolling out CPR training to all members which will support the use of the new Defibrillator AED which the club recently acquired.
The Club’s first fundraiser is a quiz in the Anchor Bar in Newcastle this coming Thursday 21st April from 9.30pm. The Golf Classic at St Patrick’s Golf Club is on Friday 27 May and then there is a Summer draw.
The Meadow at Dundrum Cricket Club is great place come watch your kids enjoy fun games and exercise and either enjoy tea and coffee or go for walk just visit Murlough nature reserve. Anyone interested in supporting or sponsoring the club in any way can contact Jeff Maguire 028 4375 1442 or through the club facebook page or the website:
