Having waited almost five years for a representative of the European Cricket Council to visit Israel, the ICA was delighted to host European Development Manager Richard Holdsworth for a short visit from March 4 - 7. Richard himself was somewhat hesitant to make the trip, but so did he enjoy his stay that after each call to or from his worried wife she became more and more sorry she didn't join him herself!
During his visit Richard enthusiastically got involved with a junior coaching session in Be'er Sheva, was delighted at witnessing over 130 children participate in a youth tournament in Tel Aviv, was genuinely excited to hear first hand of the success that has been achieved in developing Israel cricket in recent times, and his professional thoughts and input were well received. During discussions held with him, ICA officials highlighted the target that has been set - receiving first division status for Israel's junior teams in 2005.
Together with Richard, Roland Lefebvre, who can hardly be called a visitor any more, was in Israel as well. Roland held a fitness and fielding session with the preliminary Israel National Squad in Tel Aviv, spent a full day with U13 players in Be'er Sheva and worked with the U17 Israel squad in the Hadar Yosef nets. Once again, his expertise and contribution were gratefully received.
The visit of both European guests highlighted a busy Purim schedule, that apart from the events mentioned above, included the biggest youth tournament ever held in Israel - 130 participants aged six - thirteen, divided into seventeen teams, and had orange balls and blue wickets flying all over Hadar Yosef as runs were scored and wickets taken. Teams from five schools participated - Yitzchak Sadeh (Dimona), Korchuk (Be'er Sheva), Teva (Jaffa). Al Charizi (Jaffa) and Nir (Kiryat Ono). In Group A, regulars Ra'anana and Be'er Sheva shared the trophy after both teams finished the day undefeated. The team from Nir grabbed the Group B title which led to a special prize giving ceremony being held for the victorious players at their school later in the week, whilst Al Charizi Grade 4's took the honours in Group C.
With Jerusalem celebrating Purim a day after the rest of the country, schools in Israel are closed for two days over the holiday. That left time for an U13 match in Dimona. Players from Dimona joined forces with Ra'anana to take on a combination of Be'er Sheva and Yeruham. Dimona / Ra'anana won the toss and elected to bat. Nir Digorkar (44*) and Gabi Schachat (53*) showed why they're so highly rated, leading their team to 181/0 in 30 overs (batsmen were retired during the innings). As the sun disappeared behind the Dimona hills, the desert suddenly became a chilly place, but the action on the field only got hotter. A remarkable run chase, spearheaded by Shlomi Pinto (31*) and Schachav Baron (25*), saw the Be'er Sheva / Yeruham team claim victory with just six balls remaining.