Youth Development in Hellas Photo © ECC

On Wednesday 6 March, the 3rd Kwik Cricket Primary Schools Tournament was held by the Municipality of Melitia on Corfu, in co-operation with the Direction of the Education of the First Degree and the HCF. Around 200 children from 6 Primary Schools participated in three different age groups. The championships were won by the teams of Moraitika Primary School. The 4th Kwik Cricket Schools Tournament in Corfu Town was held on the weekend 30-31 of March. About 350 children from 40 different primary schools from the Municipality of Corfu took part in two different age groups. Each school participated with two teams, one in each age category. The final round of the tournament was held on the weekend 6 & 7 of April.

Youth Development in Hellas Photo © ECC

On Friday 29 March PE teacher Mr Dimitris Varzakakos was present at a meeting of the Prefecture & Technical Officials of the coaching program of the Ministry of Sports in Athens. The HCF has employed 4 PE Teachers in Corfu, 2 in Athens and one in Thessaloniki to run cricket lessons for talented children from the local primary schools. These PE teachers will work with the HCF coaches to encourage more children to become members of the local cricket clubs.

Youth Development in Hellas Photo © ECC

Monday 8 April was Olympic Day in Hellas, and the HCF coaches were busy demonstrating cricket for the children from Corfu Town's primary & secondary schools at the National Athletic Centre of Corfu. Nets were set up, and the children were encouraged to try to hit 3 balls each from a bowling machine, with an award for every child who managed to hit at least two. Hats and t-shirts were given out, and the event was considered a great success. Noticeboards were put up with pictures of the Hellenic national teams, coaching courses and other events, brochures and coaching programmes were laid out, and cricket equipment was displayed so that the youngsters could learn more about cricket.