Players from the Sydney Thunder Big Bash League team paid a virtual visit to Canberra’s mini cricketers on Tuesday.
Fast bowler Chris Tremain and wicket-keeper Matthew Gilkes visited schools and cricket clubs from the comfort of their own homes, as part of the clubs regional engagement.
Tremain, originally from the Yeoval NSW said he knows all too well how important regional engagement is to kids in sport.
“Above all I think the regional areas, not just all over NSW but the country provides the sport with our athletes,” he said.
“A lot of us come from regional areas so without the engagement we might not have that.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to answer those questions they might have and give them an insight and guidance on what it takes and where they are headed.”
The pair were skyped into classrooms at Chapman and Charles Conder Primary Schools and Burgmann Anglican School, with students from Year 2 to Year 6.
Originally from Ulladulla on the South Coast, Gilkes spent a lot of time playing grade cricket in Canberra growing up.
Being familiar with the area, he said it was great to be back spreading his passion for cricket with Canberran kids.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity to support and promote the sport.” he said.
“We started off no different to them. We were just kids in primary school enjoying sports.
“It’s a great chance to see if we can get these kids on board and enjoy the game that we love.”
The Sydney Thunder have locked in two home matches at Canberra’s Manuka Oval for the 2020-21 KFC Big Bash League (BBL), facing the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat in the nation’s capital.
Tremain described Canberra as a happy hunting ground for the team, who have been acquired by a passionate Canberra crowd.
“The wicket is always good, and we have generally been successful there. We get to play in front of people who enjoy watching us and want us to be there,” he said.
“When you put your home games in different locations you can feel you get a mixture of supports but we always seem to have a loot of supporters in Canberra.”
The Women’s Big Bash League, which is set to kick off from 17 October recently had its fixture revised to shift all games to Sydney due to ongoing travel restrictions.
The BBL is set to kick off on 3 December with games around the country, but it is not yet clear if or when it their fixture will be revised.
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