Children have a good innings at cricket day (From The Northern Echo)

Children have a good innings at cricket day

11:42am Tuesday 18th July 2006 in A Chance To Live By Catherine Jewitt

ORGANISERS of a school cricket tournament were so bowled over by its success they plan to extend it next year.

Sedgefield Borough Council and the Sedgefield School Sports Partnership invited year five pupils from all of the borough's primary schools to take part in the event.

Over three days, 20 schools entered teams in festivals at Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield and Mainsforth cricket clubs.

More than 400 children were coached by members of the three clubs and Durham Cricket Club before playing in quick cricket tournaments at the three venues.

Suzanne Richardson, the council's sports co-ordinator, said:"We hope to hold a similar day at Tudhoe Cricket Club next year, and may do a borough final for the best and more competitive teams to find an overall champion."

Diane Snowsill, partnership development officer, said: "Boys and girls of all abilities get the same chance to take part and have really enjoyed it.

"They practised in school before the tournament and hopefully some will keep it up afterwards, and teachers will take up the offer of coaching sessions.

"We hope it introduces pupils to a new, fun way of keeping fit."

The scheme fits in with The Northern Echo's A Chance To Live campaign, which was this week extended to Sedgefield borough.

The campaign promotes healthy living in an attempt to tackle the area's alarming rates of coronary heart disease and obesity.

Paul Champion, a character from the council's forthcoming fitness promotion campaign, presented medals to the young cricketers.

The winners of the tournaments were:At Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday: St Joseph's RC Primary School, Newton Aycliffe; Thornhill Primary School, Shildon; St Mary's RC Primary School, Newton Aycliffe; Elmfield Primary School, Newton Aycliffe.

At Sedgefield, on Thursday:Sedgefield Primary School; St Charles RC, Tudhoe; Trimdon Junior School; Fishburn Primary School.

At Mainsforth, near Ferryhill, on Friday: Rosa Street Primary School, Spennymoor; Bishop Middleham CE Primary School; Broom Cottages Primary, Ferryhill; Cleves Cross Primary, Ferryhill.