Cricket clinics for kids is the seed the Okanagan Cricket Club is counting on to grow the sport in Penticton.
OCC vice president Stephen Prowse will be instructing kids’ camps in the spring and summer. It’s part of an initiative to promote the sport as Prowse has partnered with Pacific Sport at the Community Centre and some schools.
Prowse said he has put in a pitch at Mariposa Park on the West Bench. Sessions will be Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. for kids aged 10 and up, Tuesday and Thursdays for men from 4 to 6 p.m., and Wednesdays is for co-ed 14 and up at the same time.
Prowse said the popularity of the sport is growing and contributing to that is Sportsnet televising games, specifically the Indian Professional League.
“If we can get the kids interested while they are young and develop their skills, we will have no trouble in the future creating a social league,” said Prowse. “My goal is to create a junior program, a co-ed program and a senior program.”
Any school interested in having Stephen Prowse bring a clinic, or anyone interested in playing, contact him at prowse11@telus.net or call 250-494-8237.
Cricket notes: The Okanagan has two teams competing in the B.C. Mainland Cricket League. Prowse plays with the Royals, which entered Division 6 play two years ago and won the championship both times. They have not been promoted to Division 4.