Maitland students got to meet NSW cricket royalty up close this week with former Australian wicket keeper Peter Nevill and his Sydney Sixers teammate Dan Fallins visiting schools across the Lower Hunter.
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Nevill and Fallins’ tour which finishes today with a visit to Black Hills Public School is part of the annual statewide Country Blitz involving the best male and female players in NSW.
Along the way they have visited Gillieston Public School, Nillo Infants School in Lorn, Lochinvar Public School, Rosary Park Branxton, St Catherine’s Singleton, Hunter Valley Grammar and taken part in skills clinics with Greta/Branxton Cricket Club and Maitland rep players at Robins Oval.
The Hunter leg of the tour also included Lauren Cheatle, Ben Dwarshius, Daniel Hughes and Jack Edwards who visited schools across Newcastle.
The Hunter has been an important source of cricketers for NSW and ultimately Australia and the tradition continues with Australian Under 19 captain Jason Sangha, from Newcastle, the latest in a long list headed by Dungog legend Doug Walters.
Cricket NSW general manager of community cricket Ivan Spyrdz said that regional and country NSW had always been a vital part of the NSW cricket family.
“The Cricket NSW Country Blitz is an annual event that we all love being part of. Players from the Sixers, Thunder, Blues and Breakers are all involved and it’s a great thrill for us, and for those cricket communities we get to visit.”
“Many of Australia’s finest players are from regional NSW and the Country Blitz is just one way to ensure we keep inspiring the next generation of fine cricketers from the country.”
“With much of NSW experiencing drought and hardship, we hope the Country Blitz and the players can provide some joy to those communities by spending some time with them, talking and playing cricket.”
“The Country Blitz is the first official program for Cricket NSW in what is shaping to be a massive summer of cricket. With a brand new Woolworths Cricket Blast program underway, new junior cricket formats implemented across NSW, an extended BBL season and a new broadcast partner, there will be plenty of cricket played and watched this summer.”
