Youth Cricket Academy

The following reasons were given by coaches and parents, for getting children involved before primary school:

• The oldest child in the family seldom has the benefit of playing ball games with siblings, before primary school, and as a result he is behind in his development when he reaches Grade 1. Hand-eye ball coordination is noticeably better amongst children who play games with their older brothers. Children, who are not exposed to ball sports at a young age, often find it difficult to catch up with children who have done so.

• Cricket practices at school can be a very daunting prospect for a Grade 1 pupil, as practices are usually done amongst a large group of classmates. A term at the YCA will ensure that they have the basics before Grade 1. As a result they will be far more confident at school. Nothing breaks a child's spirit, quite like getting something wrong in front of his peers, who at a young age inevitably laugh. Nothing builds confidence quite like being singled out in front of your peers for doing something well, especially sport!

• Parents have also said that they would like their younger son to be taught the basics of cricket so that he and his older brother will be able to play together.

A term at the YCA will teach young children team work, participation, basic drills and the need to support each other on the field.