Game on for young and older at Coffs Harbour
Published on 11 December 2024
The sounds of summer – incessant cicadas and the thwack of bat on ball – hung heavy at Coffs Harbour at a star-laden event to turn kids on to cricket.
Thirty-five youngsters made the most of a free Sydney Sixers Junior Super Clinic at the Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park on Sunday.
While Test legends Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon are closer to the end than the start of their playing careers, the clinic wasn’t about trying to find the Next Big Thing.
Rather, the four-hour session aimed at five to 12-year-olds was skewed to introducing youngsters to the national code.
That was borne out by the clinic’s brief: No prior cricket experience necessary and all equipment to be provided on the day.
Special guest was Ben Dwarshius, the Sydney Sixers allrounder who has represented Australia in both T20 and 50-over cricket.
“It was great to have a big name of the game here to promote the sport,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“Whether it’s at the beach or in a suburban backyard, it’s a game for families and friends right through the Aussie summer.”
The Sydney Sixers Junior Super Clinic was also a taster for locals ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Friday 3 January.
That could well prove the high point of the holiday season as it will pit the powerful Sixers franchise against last season’s champions, Brisbane Heat.
“We’ll be rolling out all the big guns to make it a super-friendly event for families,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“We’ll have face-painting, giveaways, and a host of fun activities for the kids at the stadium.
“There’ll be a swag of Sixers merch for purchase and the food trucks will be on site to ensure a great night out.”
The gates, bar and food outlets will open at 4.05pm, with the T20 match scheduled to start at 6.05pm.
Secure your tickets today before they sell out. Family-friendly prices start from $9 for kids, $35 for adults and $70 for families. To book visit here.
Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Jafer Chohan (England), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein (West Indies), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, James Vince (England).
Tom Alsop (England), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Paul Walter (England), Jack Wood.
Photo: King of the kids: Sydney Sixers star Ben Dwarshuis holds court at the Junior Super Clinic at the Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park.