Hundreds of people flocked to a free cricket-themed event at Newham Park which saw the first official cricket match staged there for decades.
The day featured cricket activities for six-years-old and older with and coaching sessions. The Fire Fit team from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also attended
Pamela Boardman, Chair of Newsham Park Cricket Club, said: “It was an amazing day . In the end we had about 250 youngsters joining in our activities, and they had a wonderful time. There was cricket coaching for young people on the day and other activities and community interest groups at the event. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event and helped on the day. This event took tremendous effort but it was a great success and well worth staging.”
A senior 20/20 cricket match between Newsham Park Cricket Club and the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MF&RS) cricket team also took place . Pamela said: “”This was the first official cricket game to be staged at and played in Newsham Park for 40 years. We are reviving what was once a thriving sport in the area and will continue to stage matches in the future.
“There was a tremendous atmosphere and camaraderie of the game in the true spirit of cricket.”
Councillor Peter Mitchell, the Mayoral lead on Parks and Open Spaces, and Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, attended the event along with staff from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.
Music on the day including a gospel choir and the Sea Cadets from West Derby and the Liverpool Model Boat Club were also at the event along with the Fire Fit climbing wall and smoothie-making bicycle.
The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) Cricket Factory Road Show have given a Cricket Factory Core Skills Set to the Newsham Park Cricket Club, which was also used at the event for juniors. The Cricket Factory equipment allows participants of all ages and all abilities to perform a variety of cricket activities and challenge all the key skills: batting, bowling, throwing, catching and cricket-related movements.
Group Manager Gary Oakford, who heads up the Fire Fit programme at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service , said: “One of the aims of the open day event was to highlight Fire Fit, to encourage more young people to become active in our communities and build on the links already in place between Kensington Community Fire Station, Fire Fit, the members of Merseyside Fire & Rescue service cricket team and the local communities where our firefighters are based. This certainly happened and it was great to see so many people and young people at the event.”
Pamela added: “Experienced and inexperienced junior and senior cricket players are very welcome to join us at our cricket club on Tuesdays at 6pm for seniors and Wednesdays at 6pm for juniors. More information can be obtained by emailing npcc1895@gmail.com
“Although the season is near to closing interested parties would be welcome to join us for members’ meetings on the last Thursday of each month at Kensington Community Fire Station Community Room at 6.30pm.”
Pictured: Pamela Bordman with the Newsham Park cricket team ( Picture: Richard Milligan)
