Some of Bunbury's best young indoor cricketers became part of a handful of unique opportunities last week.
The Bunbury Indoor Cricket and Sports Centre, in East Bunbury, played host to junior state cricket trials, testing some of the South West’s young hopefuls.
Participants were assessed on their technical skills and aptitude for the game.
The state junior indoor teams will be picked ahead of the Junior Indoor Cricket Nationals in Victoria from July 6 to 14, 2019.
Western Australian Cricket Association area manager Alan Singer, Indoor Sports WA president Christian White, and state masters cricketer Rod Baesjou visited the centre for the event.
“This is a way of coming to the region and giving kids a way to try-out for the state trials,” Mr Singer said.
“Hopefully, there are a couple of boys and girls that can make their way into the state teams, go away, come back, and then tell all of their friends about it.
“There are real opportunities now for kids to play club cricket in Bunbury and then to represent the state.”
WACA will be sending 13s Boys, 15s boys, 17 boys, 14s girls and 17s girls teams to next year’s tournament.
Around 10 to 12 competitors from around the state will be selected for each team.
“We’re seeing if we can identify some high-performance talent to play in the state structure whilst also helping the centre here,” Mr White said.
“It’s vitally important to travel around to see what is out there.”
In another valuable opportunity for the South West’s up-and-coming indoor cricketers, former Bunbury cricketer and current Perth Scorchers wicket-keeper Sam Whiteman led a training and development session on Friday, September 14.
Whiteman then set aside the bat and ball to sign autographs for the young cricketers in attendance.
“It’s very important to visit all areas of the country,” Whiteman said.
“I remember going to Cooinda Primary School and having people from WACA come down and run sessions, it used to be the highlight of my year.”
Bunbury Indoor Cricket and Sports Centre owner Daron Stenhouse said having support from Cricket Australia, WACA, and Indoor Sports WA was a remarkable privilege and assisted the centre’s operations.
“It’s brilliant for the kids to be able to associate with Sam, who’s a local boy,” he said.
“It’s great to have the support of WACA as well.”
For more information about the centre, contact Mr Stenhouse on 0475 554 414 or at daron@bunburyindoorcricket.com.au
Head to the Bunbury Indoor Cricket & Sports Centre Facebook page to learn more.
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