Cricket: Festive spirit hit for six at tournament

Northland Cricket competitions manager Neal Parlane

Northland Cricket is having a Christmas party with a difference, holding the Northland Cricket Christmas 6s festival next month at the Cobham Oval and Toll Stadium.

The six-a-side "tournament", which will have a social and competitive grade, is being used as a way for Northland Cricket to thank their players and volunteers.

Northland Cricket competitions manager Neal Parlane said the sixes festival also served as an opportunity to reconnect with those who had moved away from the sport over the years.

The December 20 competition will mark the 20-year anniversary since the Whangarei Boys' High School team won the Gillette Cup.

"It's basically the Northland Cricket Association thanking the players and having a Christmas do with them," Parlane said, adding the festival type day would be held instead of club cricket that weekend. "We're also trying to drag people back into cricket."

He added the format would make for a fun family day, hopefully getting a few older players back along to enjoy the festivities.

Northland Cricket general manager Warren Marr felt the day would be a success and would cater to different levels of ability with the social aspect enhanced by being played at Toll Stadium. The competitive matches would be held on Northland Cricket's home ground, the Cobham Oval.

"It's a real one-off opportunity to get everyone together at the same ground to celebrate the season so far and have some fun together.

"We really want to have a festival of cricket really."

Marr expected the day to run from about 8am-8pm, with games taking about an hour each.

-To find out more or to enter, contact Parlane at Northland Cricket's office or on NealP@northcricket.co.nz.