For 4 weeks during late July and early August we were the main sponsors of the London Schools Cricket Association festivals of cricket. This year saw LSCA move from the usual location of Oundle School to Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire due to the relaying of the cricket squares at Oundle.
For four consecutive weeks there was a festival for different age groups, U15’s, U12’s, U14’s and the U17’s in the final week. We set up a pop up shop and displayed our bats and kit. The interest levels were high and it was a great way to explain what we do and let the players try some bats out in the nets.
The biggest problem over the month was the weather which was unusually wet, even for North Yorkshire! Week one for the U15’s was virtually a complete washout with only half a day’s play being possible over the five……a nightmare for all concerned!
The weather gradually improved and we enjoyed some great cricket. Each week we awarded a B3 bat to 4 lucky players for the following achievements:
- Batting Award
- Bowling Award
- All-rounder Award
- Managers Player Award
Pro Contract Competition
In addition we also ran a competition for one lucky player to win a full sponsorship ‘Pro Contract’ for the 2018 season. From over 300 entries we randomly drew a lucky winner in 12 year old Hayden Melly who represented Bedfordshire under 12’s.
Upon learning he had won the star prize, Hayden commented, “I don’t know what to say to you this is insane, I love your bats, thanks so much”.
No worries Hayden, it’s our pleasure to see kids playing the game and loving it!