Durham Cricket is proud to announce record participation in the 2019 Port of Tyne Kwik Cricket Festival.
The festival, held at South Shields Cricket Club, saw 400 children compete in 40 teams from 14 different primary schools – an increase of 17 teams from last year.
Across the North East South Tyneside has shown the biggest growth in terms of participation compared with other Kwik Cricket tournaments – up 200 percent in the past 10 years.
Durham Cricket star Ben Whitehead presented St Bede’s RC Primary School with their winning medals alongside Port of Tyne Head of Maintenance Martin Graham.
Port of Tyne have been supporting the delivery of the festival for primary schools in the South Tyneside for three years running which continues to support leadership development opportunities within local secondary schools.
This year’s festival included 12 young leaders from St Wilfrid’s RC College who put their cricket leadership skills to good use in the umpiring and scoring of the matches.
Martin Graham, Port of Tyne Head of Maintenance, said: “The Port of Tyne is proud to support the festival promoting positive health and wellbeing through our partnership with the Durham Cricket’s Foundation, enabling many more local schools to get involved this year.”.”
Durham Cricket Foundation Manager Josie Pointon, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young cricketers take part this year. To have 170 additional pupils attend is impressive and truly demonstrates the long-term impact Durham Cricket’s Development Team, are having within the area thanks to our partnership with the Port of Tyne.”