Cricket Smart Schools Programme from NZ Cricket

13 October 2014

MEDIA RELEASE FROM NEW ZEALAND CRICKET AND ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015

New teaching resources for Year 1 to 8 students celebrate

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Today marks the start of Term 4 and the introduction to primary and intermediate school classrooms around New Zealand of Cricket Smart – a new set of teaching resources from New Zealand Cricket designed to celebrate and leverage New Zealand’s co-hosting of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which is now just 124 days away.

Cricket Smart has been designed by New Zealand Cricket and ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in conjunction with Ministry of Education endorsed education developers. The initiative is part of a wider legacy project for the tournament, including school yard cricket and volunteer initiatives, which has the financial support of the New Zealand Government.

The resources are designed to be used not just for this summer but as a long-standing feature in Kiwi schools.

New Zealand Cricket’s General Manager Amateur Cricket, Ed Shuttleworth, says: “Cricket Smart will help New Zealand Cricket create a lasting legacy from ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 by introducing more Kiwi kids to the sport and enhancing primary and intermediate education through the medium of cricket. We’ll look to build on the momentum from the World Cup and continue to grow and deliver the programme each year.”

Around 700 schools have already signed up to Cricket Smart and will start making use of it in their classrooms from today. It’s not too late for other schools to get involved – registrations remain open at www.blackcaps.co.nz/schools.

Head of New Zealand for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Therese Walsh, says: “New Zealand will have waited 23 years for the return of what is now one of the world’s biggest sporting events. It’s literally a once in a generation opportunity and Cricket Smart will provide the children of our country a tangible way of understanding what makes the tournament special.”

Cricket Smart is aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum for primary and intermediate students (Years 1 to 8). It is based around five resources that flex across a range of subjects and can be utilised by teachers both inside and outside the classroom.
These resources, which include video learning tools and can be downloaded online, cover topics including history, the global game, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and skills development.

A free cricket kit is also provided to all registered schools. This gear – a big bonus for schools with new equipment always a sought-after commodity – will help schools get students outside and active as well as increasing their knowledge of the game.

While the resources are designed for use in Years 1 to 8 it is hoped they will inspire young New Zealanders to have a lifelong connection with the game.

ENDS

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