Living through a pandemic for the past few years has had a dramatic impact on everyone in our community, particularly our children and young people.
The discontinuation of group sports has left a void in our children’s ability to interact with their peers while having fun and learning new skills.
Cricket Coach Ron Rooney has come out of retirement to re-introduce primary school children to the fun and excitement of cricket with introductory clinics held at five schools across the shire.
“We’ve found there has been a real lag in getting back to team sports since COVID,” said Ron. “By hosting these clinics and the carnival at Wesley Hill, we’re hoping to connect kids with their local clubs.”
Over the past few weeks, Ron has run introductory cricket clinics at Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton, Newstead, and Winters Flat Primary Schools, culminating in today’s carnival at Wesley Hill, in the hopes of highlighting the importance of the sport.
Newstead Primary School Principal Kathy Callander told the Mail that this is the first normal year the kids have had in a long time.
“Academically they’re all doing well, but socially it’s difficult and this is in all schools,” said Kathy. “Getting them back into team sports is helping kids re-learn how to interact, and instills skills that will help them in real life with team activities.”
A former North Melbourne Premier Coach, Ron was instrumental in running the Milo program through Cricket Australia. He is passionate about giving kids opportunities to thrive and is working to provide coaching education for coaches in the region.
For more information on how to join a team visit: play.cricket.com.au/