Cricket: Maori focus in bid to grow game

FNCA coaching/ development coordinator Peter Barnett

The Far North's super cricket crusader Peter Barnett is appealing to the wider sporting community to help him promote the game across the district as a long hot summer looms on the horizon.

With the annual meeting for the Far North Cricket Association (FNCA) coming up in September, Barnett is seeking interested people to join him on the committee and be a part of this growing sport.

Plans have already been laid for the coming season to continue on from the groundwork established last summer, including a revamped senior men's competition involving teams from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Honeymoon Valley, Kerikeri, Paihia and possibly Kaikohe competing in ODI and 20/20 matches.

From this competition, a rep team will be selected to play games against a Whangarei invitational side, with Cobham Oval in Whangarei the possible venue.

At junior level, Year 2-4 students will be able to take part in midweek Have a Go cricket sessions, while Year 5-10 students will compete in club cricket on a Saturday morning.

Teams can be entered through Barnett, who advised that any children who don't already have a team to play for could simply show up on the muster day and they will be placed in a side.

Barnett said he was also intent on establishing an inter-iwi Maori 20/20 social tournament in the area.

Barnett is also the FNCA representative on the Te Hiku Sports Hub, which is lobbying council for the development of sports grounds at the southern end of town, including the building of a new swimming/aquatic centre for Kaitaia.

With all of this cricket action planned for the 2013/14 season, there is a need for volunteer coaches, junior tournament controllers for Kaitaia and BOIC as well as the usual positions of president, secretary and treasurer.

In the past three years, the FNCA, NCA and Sport Northland have worked closely together in a partnership to increase participation for adults and children and the "capability" of the FNCA.