CRICKET WORLD CUP IN CYPRUS

The picture shows the winners and other competitors in the "Under 13's World Cup Cricket League" held over the last month at Happy Valley, Cyprus. The League was won by triumphant New Zealand with disappointed Australia finishing bottom. Could this be an omen for Australia?!

The competition was organised by Colin Relton (Foleys School) and John Mills (St Johns School). Both are school teachers who recently qualified as Level 1 Coaches funded by the European Cricket Council. The teams were named after International Cricket Teams. The players in each team were selected to create evenly balanced teams not only on ability but so that each team had players from both schools. The aim was to give the young cricketers the opportunity to play competitive cricket and also to create friendship between pupils from both schools.

These youngsters form the back bone of Cyprus Junior Cricket and some of them will be selected in the near future to represent Cyprus against other International Teams. However pupils from other schools will also be given the opportunity to be selected. The Cyprus Cricket Association have invited Israel and Greece to Cyprus to play in an under 15's Triangular Competition later this year and are hopeful that this will go ahead in October. Also if finances allow it is hoped that Cyprus will enter an "under 15 team " in the 2006 ECC European Championships.

Some of them already have had international cricket experience. "Foleys Phantoms" lead by their PE Teacher Colin Relton played matches in Corfu against junior players representing Greece. The visit was a huge success and proved that Cyprus can do well in future Junior European Competitions. Youth Cricket in Cyprus is developing strongly with over 100 young cricketers from age 6 upwards taking part in a Youth Cricket Course. It is hoped that in a few years time as these young players mature that Cyprus will have a Senior International Cricket Team. We are looking for young people between age 11 and 18 who would like to play cricket in Cyprus. Also if you have experience in coaching cricket, or a business who would like to help with sponsorship please contact : Steve Carr, Chairman Cyprus Cricket Association.