Cricket growing in Atherton Gardens

The initiative, which began in 2008, is a joint effort between Fitzroy Police, Edinburgh Cricket Club and Cricket Victoria.

The program, which begins in June each year, introduces children to the game and its skills before competitive matches take place among the participants in the program’s final weeks.

Program coordinator, Stan White from Edinburgh CC, has been involved since its inception and says that up to 25 participants join each year.

“The association with the Edinburgh Cricket Club provides us with cricket gear as well as a link to organised cricket,” White said.

“In years gone by we’ve had some of the children from the program join our juniors.

“Participants of the program are local children from the high-rises aged from eight to 12 years old.

“Some of the kids in the program are refugees and for them it’s a good way to build their confidence and in a way a good introduction to Australia.

“The children arrive straight from school and we begin our sessions which last one hour from 4pm to 5pm.

“Halfway through the session we will stop for afternoon tea and participants are fed.

“Chris McGeachan, a Yarra Resource Officer from Fitzroy Police attends our sessions and organises food and drinks for the children.”

Like White, McGeachan has been involved with the program from its beginning and says that the program is highly successful despite the game being new to many of the participants.

“The game is very foreign to most of the children and not their natural sport, however, the program has been amazingly successful and offers kids the chance to experience cricket in their own backyard,” McGeachan said.

“The program connects the kids to positive services within Yarra, such as the Local Police, Cricket Victoria, Edinburgh Cricket Club, Australian Catholic University students and Brotherhood of St Lawrence Urban systems program.

“The Atherton Gardens cricket program is aligned with Blue Light Fitzroy Activity and Sport Tuesday Afternoons (FASTA).

“Cricket is one of the four sports we offer throughout the year.

“In each session we offer fruit and drinks to the children, it’s best that they eat and have something healthy in their bellies.

“It’s an ideal time to feed the kids, their brains and body will perform better.

“In our final session of the term, we hold a barbecue for the children.

“Food is donated to the program by Fareshare and Foodbank.

“Our sessions involve learning cricket skills but also personal development as we have incentives for good behavior such as listening to instructions.”

The Atherton Gardens cricket program will continue this year in term three on each Tuesday of the school term.

White and McGeachan would like to thank Edinburgh Cricket Club, Australian Catholic University, City of Yarra, Fitzroy Police, Brotherhood of St Lawrence Urban Systems Program, Fareshare, Foodbank, Cricket Victoria and the volunteers of the program.