Development program gets into swing with youth festival in Tel Aviv

Action from ICA youth festival © Israel Cricket

Almost 100 boys and girls aged six upwards, from Zichron Yaakov in the North, Be'er Sheva in the South, from central areas like Modiin, Ra'anana, Rishon L'Zion and Netanya, from Teva school in Tel Aviv and the Bedouin town of Hura in the Negev, descended on Hadar Yosef Sports Stadium in Tel Aviv as the Israel Cricket Association launched their revamped development program earlier this week.

The program will be spearheaded by Herschel Gutman, who recently arrived in Israel to take up his position as national coach and development officer. 'The idea behind the day was to get as many youngsters who may have an interest in cricket involved, and now getting groups and clubs started up in their areas so within a couple of months we have cricket established in as many cities and towns as possible' said Gutman.

Action from ICA youth festival © Israel Cricket

Especially welcome participants in the day were the 30 children from Hura, many of whom made their first visit to Tel Aviv.

Recently introduced to cricket by the ICA in partnership with UK charity Cricket4Change, the young Bedouins, smartly kitted out in their royal blue Hura Cricket Club shirts, may be unfamiliar with the finer intricacies of the game, but nevertheless showed terrific enthusiasm and really enjoyed their day out.

"I didn't realize so many kids play cricket", said Ahmed , in wide-eyed amazement. " I loved playing with all these children, I can't wait until the next time" said Mohammed while he ate his chips. The pole-vault mattress, running track and long-jump sand pit at the athletics stadium were all added attractions for the kids, but cricket the main focus.

Action from ICA youth festival © Israel Cricket

Plans are underway to include some of the most promising Bedouin children in weekly practice sessions for the best U13 players in the country, as well as continue to expand the project to include even more schools in the Negev Bedouin towns.