Schoolchildren tested their skills at a short form of cricket this week as part of the Sure Sports Primary School Programme.

Year five and six pupils took part in Kwik cricket, where all participants get to bat, bowl and field.

Boys’ matches were held at Cronkbourne and Crosby Cricket Clubs on Monday and Tuesday and 15 squads, made up of 150 pupils, took part.

In a move to encourage more females into the sport, a girls-only event was held for the first time on Wednesday at King William’s College. Five squads and 50 girls participated.

Greig Wright, the Island’s Cricket Development Officer, said: ‘Seeing so many children playing shows the future for Manx cricket is promising.

‘The efforts of teachers, Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), club coaches and the Isle of Man Cricket Association’s schools’ coaching programme are really starting to pay dividends.

The Cricket Association has an initiative called ‘Just Play’, aimed at encouraging more people into cricket," Greig said.

‘Every child who participated this week was awarded with a Kwik cricket bat and a tennis ball so they can continue to play, hopefully joining a local club.’

Greig continued: ‘The Department’s Strategy for Sport 2014-2024 aims to boost physical activity in young people and encourage them to participate in community sport.

‘We are grateful to Sure for investing in young people’s physical health and wellbeing.’

The Sure Sports Primary Schools’ Programme is run by the Sports Development Unit (part of MSR) in partnership with sports’ governing bodies and is generously supported by the telecoms firm.

Pupils participate in inter-school events in six sports: hockey, tag rugby, badminton, netball, Kwik cricket and athletics.

Sarah Jarvis, Marketing and PR Manager for Sure Isle of Man, commented: ‘Cricket is a lovely sport to get involved with and one you can play for many years, so it can provide a lifelong hobby and way of staying fit.’

For more about joining a cricket club, email Greig at iomcricket@hotmail.com.