Full of Good Hope
A group of Shropshire young cricketers are making their final preparations for a prestigious tour to South Africa. The under-13s and under-14s who set off on Friday, February 9, for the Western Cape come from across the county. A group of Shropshire young cricketers are making their final preparations for a prestigious tour to South Africa. The under-13s and under-14s who set off on Friday, February 9, for the Western Cape come from across the county. In addition to playing cricket, the players will present a range of sports equipment - donated by Shropshire chartered surveyors Towler, Shaw & Roberts - to children in the township of Langa. This will be supported by a financial donation to a charity called kids2kids, set up to support the development of cricket for children in the townships. Tour manager Paul Gerrard said: "Whilst the idea of a holiday to Africa is exciting, the key objective of the tour is to develop the players as cricketers on the field and in the wider aspects of the game by experiencing cricket life in a different country. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A group of Shropshire young cricketers are making their final preparations for a prestigious tour to South Africa. The under-13s and under-14s who set off on Friday, February 9, for the Western Cape come from across the county.
In addition to playing cricket, the players will present a range of sports equipment - donated by Shropshire chartered surveyors Towler, Shaw & Roberts - to children in the township of Langa.
This will be supported by a financial donation to a charity called kids2kids, set up to support the development of cricket for children in the townships.
Tour manager Paul Gerrard said: "Whilst the idea of a holiday to Africa is exciting, the key objective of the tour is to develop the players as cricketers on the field and in the wider aspects of the game by experiencing cricket life in a different country.
"As well as the opportunity to visit places such as Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope, the cricket schedule has deliberately been set out to include a range of experiences that will include townships, schools and local clubs sides in the Cape region.
"It is hoped this tour will be a stepping stone for the players to develop and further support the development of Shropshire Youth Cricket."
The youngsters will also take in the One-Day International between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands, a Super 14 Rugby Union game between the Stormers and The Chiefs and an invite to the Sports and Science Institute of South Africa.
The youngsters will start their journey next week in style aboard a luxury coach provided by Elcock Reisen to take them from Shrewsbury down to Heathrow.
The tour has been made possible by the fund-raising efforts of parents, led by Ellie Taylor of Worfield Cricket Club.
Sponsors include Scott Wilson, Inta Business Logistics, Elmondstone, Air Link, Mike Jordan, Clive Edwards, Andrew Dixon Associates, Worfield CC, Shropshire Cricket Coaches Association, Shifnal CC, Court Farm, Fearnley Cricket, Syspal Ltd, Bucknall Austin, Badger Print, Wynnstay, Newport CC, Whitchurch CC, Ludlow CC, Bridgnorth CC, Agricultural Central Trading, Normech and Paul Barker.
