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The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) has announced a series of ‘Play Smart’ Workshops for young club cricketers and their coaches to help improve their cricket and coaching skills.

The programme will be organised by Nigel Jones, Cricket Ireland’s Development Officer in the NCU, and is part of Cricket Ireland’s overall development work. Nigel intends to use specialist coaches to assist him in delivering the ‘Play Smart’ Workshops..

The ‘Play Shop’ Workshops will take place in four different locations across the province with each location hosting three specialist classes; batting, bowing and fielding/wicket keeping for clubs within the NCU. Each class will be taken by an expert coach who will coach the players throughout the session and help them develop their skills in that particular area. Players can attend more than one session if their club feels it would be off benefit. Coaches will be able to observe best practice and learn new ideas or skills which they can take away and introduce or reinforce into their own clubs at youth level from the experts on the day.

Looking forward to the ‘Play Smart’ Workshops, Nigel Jones, said; “These workshops are a fantastic way to offer a high quality coaching workshop for both player and coach – sustainability of best practice, combining with the latest techniques and reinforcing of basic skill set cannot be underestimated at any level of the game.”

Each club within the NCU that has a youth section is being asked to nominate any three players from between their Under 13 squad to Under 17 squad and one coach per workshop i.e. batting. Clubs may then re nominate for the bowling workshop.

This is an exciting development opportunity for young cricketers within the NCU and an opportunity not to be missed to receive specialist coaching by experts in their field.

Nigel will be writing to all NCU youth section clubs asking them to nominate three players and a coach for the ‘Play Smart’ Workshops in their area. For more information please contact your Youth Development Officer or Club Secretary. For clubs who would like more information on these excellent Workshops, please contact Nigel Jones by email: nigel.jones@irishcricket.org, telephone; 078 7941 6121 or check out the NCU website; www.northerncricketunion.org

There is a small charge of £5 per participant per workshop to be paid on the day. Participants are asked to bring their own packed lunch, cricket playing equipment and trainers.

Surely a chance not to be missed by any inspiring young cricketer!

Notes to editors:

1. Below is a full list of the ‘Play Smart’ Workshops. A table is also attached for your ease of reference.

Play Smart Workshop 1

Host Club: Belfast venue TBC – please check the NCU website for details

Dates: 25/07/12 Batting
26/07/12 Bowling
27/07/12 Fielding/Wicket keeping
Workshops run from 10am – 2.30pm each day.

Invited Clubs: CIYMS C.C., Cooke Collegians C.C., Cregagh C.C., CSNI C.C., Derriaghy C.C., Holywood C.C., Instonians C.C. and Woodvale C.C.

Play Smart Workshop 2

Host Club: Templepatrick Cricket Club

Dates: 01/08/12 Batting
02/08/12 Bowling
03/08/12 Fielding/Wicket keeping
Workshops run from 10am – 2.30pm each day.

Invited Clubs: Academy C.C., Ballymena C.C., Carrickfergus C.C., Cliftonville C.C., Larne C.C., Muckamore C.C. and Templepatrick C.C.

Play Smart Workshop 3

Host Club: Downpatrick Cricket Club

Dates: 08/08/12 Batting
09/08/12 Bowling
10/08/12 Fielding/Wicket keeping
Workshops run from 10am – 2.30pm each day.

Invited Clubs: Ards C.C., Bangor C.C., Dundrum C.C., Downpatrick C.C., North Down C.C. and Saintfield C.C.

Play Smart Workshop 4

Host Club: Waringstown Cricket Club

Dates: 15/08/12 Batting
16/08/12 Bowling
17/08/12 Fielding/Wicket keeping
Workshops run from 10am – 2.30pm each day.

Invited Clubs: Armagh C.C., Donaghcloney C.C., Laurelvale C.C., Lisburn C.C., Lurgan C.C., Victoria C.C. and Waringstown C.C.

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