Central Coast locals NSW Blue Charlie Anderson and Breaker Tara French will be joined by BBL Sydney Sixers’ wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe to blitz through the Central Coast on August 6 and 7.
They will be meeting some of our youngest cricketers and cricket lovers with one mission: to inspire everyone to play and love cricket.
This will be a homecoming of sorts for French and Anderson.
While French grew up in Terrigal and played for the Terrigal Matcham Cricket Club as a junior cricketer, Anderson is a Kamilaroi man and grew up in Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast.
The three players will visit towns such as Ourimbah, Kincumber, Erina, Wyong and Berkeley Vale during their two-day visit and are set to attend Come-n-Try days, visit schools, and meet with volunteers in the area.
They will also attend a cricket clinic at Cricket Australia’s and Cricket NSW’s Indoor Facility of the Year, the national award-winning Charmy Indoor Sports Complex at Charmhaven at 4.30pm on August 7.
The players’ visit is a part of Cricket NSW’s Country Blitz, where a contingent of 25 players are travelling to 12 Country NSW regions to participate in more than 50 events and meet children and volunteers.
These events include school visits, come-and-try days, cricket clinics, school smashes, meet-and-greets, and breakfasts and lunches with cricket club and association members.
Registrations to play cricket this season are open with local clubs and children will have the opportunity to learn from their cricketing heroes to help them get ready for the coming season.
Cricket NSW’s Chief Community Cricket Officer Martin Gleeson said Country Blitz was one of the biggest highlights of the cricket pre-season each year.
“Many of our elite players in the state and W/BBL teams began their journeys in country NSW,” he said.
“Country Blitz provides a great opportunity for our players to support communities as they get ready for the massive Summer of cricket that we’re set to have.
“It also supports local clubs with their promotions and recruitment for the coming season and gives our staff and players the chance to meet and thank the many volunteers who are essential to the game’s success locally.
“Cricket is an integral part of Australia’s great sporting tradition.
“Our mission at Cricket NSW is to inspire every child in the state to play and love the game.”
