Young People To Be Bowled Over At Cricket Workshop

Young people in Burley and Hyde Park are to be given an insight into the life of a professional cricketer at a special workshop next week.

Taking place from Wednesday 18 August to Friday 20 August at Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s legendary Headingley Carnegie Test ground, the workshop will see young people aged 12 and over find out about what it takes to make it in the professional ranks.

The workshop, which is free and open to any boy or girl aged 12 and over from the Burley and Hyde Park areas, will run from 10am to 2:30pm each day. Organised by Leeds City Council’s youth service, Yorkshire Country Cricket Club and the national Positive Futures programme, the workshop will see those taking part be given a special behind-the-scenes tour of the famous Headingley Carnegie ground before being given coaching by professional Yorkshire coaches at the Indoor Cricket School.

The second day will see the group given further expert coaching as well as learning about the demands on a modern cricket player and the health and personal fitness regimes they follow.

The final day changes tack as the group will learn how to create their own film footage and interviews with the Yorkshire players using high-definition cameras and the latest editing equipment. The final film will then be shown on the big screen at Headingley Carnegie before the CB40-over match between Yorkshire Carnegie and Essex Eagles on Saturday 4th September which those taking part will be able to attend for free as guests of the club.

The workshop is a celebration event following a successful year-long programme of cricket coaching and related activities held at the Royal Park multi-use games area. Funded by Sport England, the programme has seen young people from the area meet some of Yorkshire’s star players as well as enjoying coaching sessions and matches.

Leeds City Council head of sport and active recreation, Mark Allman said: This free workshop is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Burley and Hyde Park to take part in something money really cannot buy by being given a unique insight into what it takes to be a professional sportsperson. This project has proved a great success and we are delighted with the wonderful support we have had from Yorkshire County Cricket Club to hopefully inspire all those taking part to be active and make the most of their abilities.”

Yorkshire County Cricket Club Community Marketing Manager, Alison Giles said: “Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation are really looking forward to welcoming the young people to Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground. The three days should provide them with a unique learning opportunity and we may even find some budding young players amongst the group. Yorkshire County Cricket Club is proud of the ongoing relationship with Leeds City Council’s youth service and Positive Futures in their aim to get more people involved in the game of cricket.”

Places on the workshop are available on a first-come first-served basis by calling senior youth worker Bee Ward on 07891 277295 or 0113 214 4673 or emailing bee.ward@leeds.gov.uk