Cricket NSW provides donation for drought-relief

On Tuesday, February 18, Cricket NSW ran a MyCricket training session at the Narrabri Sporties.

The free session was completed with a generous donation of a dozen, match-ready cricket balls.

The balls, which value at about $40 each, will help keep costs down for players in the Narrabri District Cricket Association next season.

The Kookaburra-brand balls showcase the Cricket NSW emblem embedded in gold print on one side.

“The Country committee proposed to fund the purchase of cricket balls for associations in drought-affected areas, cricket balls being a necessary – and expensive cost – of the game,” said Cricket NSW country program manager Bruce Whitehouse.

Narrabri District Cricket Association secretary Bill Wood said keeping costs down could lead to more people getting involved in the local cricket association.

“Any assistance we can get during these times is greatly appreciated,” he said.

“Things like this go a long way in helping to reduce costs.

“Which in turn hopefully helps drive participation numbers up and the game can continue to grow.”

Wood said the balls were more typically suited to junior cricket and that is where the donation will most likely be used.

“We haven’t spoken as a board yet but going on the type of ball and what was donated, it is probably looking like more of a junior related donation,” said Wood.

“That is a great thing because that’s where we’d like to get the numbers in.

“Sometimes the costs can be a bit of a deterrent.

“Anything we can do to alleviate the costs at the junior level is a good thing.”