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In a 20-overs game of pairs cricket, the local school "De Wijze Eik" scored 209 to win the championship, outscoring the 173 put on by their opponents.
The game marked the completion of the first year of a new schools programme, aiming to bring more local youngsters in the game.
Participating schools have been supported by various local clubs to provide them with the cricket skills, while the Belgian Cricket Federation funded the purchase of Kwik Cricket material.

Although most kids had never played a game until 6 months ago, all were enthusiastic and some showed a real talent for the game.
In the final, Johan Debo, a complete newcomer to the game, scored 26 runs off just 4 overs with 2 sixes and 3 fours and showed tidy and accurate bowling, taking 1 wicket for 6 runs.
Physical Education teacher Francis Dierickx and Head Mistress Jocelyne Derycker of De Wijze Eik were proud to receive the trophy: they are the successful front-runners of a new initiative, and they are looking forward to develop cricket further at the school.

Local club Arcadians Cricket Club Ghent hosted the final, and was rewarded by the victory of the school they had supported and coached.
Qualified trainers and players from the club spent some time at the school during the year to help them to improve their game, and the motivation of the kids and the support of school staff did the rest.
The next objective is not only to continue to support schools to introduce cricket in their curriculum, but also to encourage the young players to join a local club and increase the recruitment of cricketers from the local population.

For more information on development in Belgium, contact Paul Larivière, national Development Manager (paul.lariviere@cricket-belgium.com) or Charles Blommaert, schools programme project leader (charles.blommaert@cricket-belgium.com).