Article Courtesy:
Cardinal Gibbons High School
For
the first time, an American school and an Australian school have
embarked on a "brother programs" initiative designed to promote cricket
and exchange techniques between the schools and its cricketers. The
schools will share pen pals, cricket info, resource development,
coaching info, and even tips for proper grounds maintenance. The
schools were put in touch with each other by Rebecca Mulgrew, Cricket
Australia's Senior Officer for Schools Cricket.
Dave Tomlin is the Cricket Coordinator of Kent Street Senior
High School in Perth, Western Australia, where he set up a cricket
course at the school in 1988, and by 1992 all five year levels at Kent
Street High were undertaking the program. The alumni list from the Kent
Street cricket program includes Western Australian Warrior players
Marcus North, Michael Dighton and Luke Ronchi.
In Baltimore, Cardinal Gibbons School's Head Coach and Program
Director, Jamie Harrison, leads the only American school cricket
program outside of New York City. He recently participated in West
Indies Cricket Board coaches' training, which was held in the United
States for the first time. Gibbons plays in a new youth league in the
Baltimore-Washington area and boasts 19 players who are new to the
game, as well as a number of more experienced cricketers from places
such as South Africa, India, Pakistan and Jamaica.
Cardinal Gibbons High School cricket team
Of the "brother programs" initiative, Harrison said, "It's an excellent
opportunity for our players to interact with some great kids in
Australia, from whom they can learn so much, not just about cricket,
but about their wonderful country. With our common backgrounds, I think
Americans have always felt a sort of kinship with our cousins "down
under," and I'm excited about the doors this will open and the
possibilities for the future."
CONTACT DETAILS:
Name: Dave Tomlin
School Name: Kent Street Senior High School
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Name: Jamie Harrison
School Name: Cardinal Gibbons School
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Email address: jharrison @ cardinal-gibbons . org
Name: Rebecca Mulgrew
Cricket Australia