Greerton Cricket Club officials are hopeful Western Bay of Plenty Cricket's introduction of Picnic Cricket in the Park at Pemberton Park will help build a strong junior playing base.
About 60 youngsters aged 5-7 turned out with their families on Friday to be put through their paces by junior coaches and have a picnic dinner at the home of Greerton cricket.
While the Greerton senior club cricket has undergone a renaissance in recent years, the junior game has languished in the wilderness.
Greerton Cricket Club president Steve Wineti said the initiative was important for the club.
"It is great for the club to have junior cricket back at Pemberton Park," he said.