Over two thousand children will take part in All Stars Cricket in Durham County this summer, more than double the amount of last year’s campaign.
In celebration Durham County Cricket Board organised a special surprise for their 2,000th All Star, who booked on the programme at Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club.
As Durham’s lucky number, Zoe Price was visited at her house by the All Stars Cricket mascot, Twinkle, and her All Stars Activator at Newton Aycliffe Adam Gittins, as both brought her many prizes.
The increase of over 140 per cent from last year is a milestone for Durham County Cricket Board and the 60 local clubs, that are running England Cricket Board’s entry level programme this summer.
All Stars Champion at Durham Cricket Board Darren Brown said: “We are really excited to see so many kids get involved this year. It’s a massive success for us to achieve such an increase in sign-ups and having over two thousand kids involved in All Stars Cricket in Durham this summer is tremendous.
“Seeing so many of our local clubs’ grounds full of All Stars participants is really great.”
Liam Simpson, All Stars Champion at Durham Cricket Board, said: “This programme is the first national cricket initiative that has attracted kids at a much younger age than we used to and most of them are newcomers to the game.
“We strongly believe that All Stars Cricket will shape junior cricket in the next few years and will ultimately grow participation.
“This is why I think that our success this year is important for all of the local clubs that are involved in All Stars Cricket. This can be the beginning of a junior section for some or the start of an under-9 structure for others.
“All Stars Cricket is about increasing participation and growing the wider game and by achieving such figures this year, we are not only building on the success of last year but also making local cricket clubs more sustainable.”