Gillespie and Rolton open-up cricket clinics for kids
Two of South Australia's (SA) finest cricketers, Jason Gillespie and Karen Rolton, took time out from their busy schedules today to travel to Mount Compass, SA, for this season's first MILO Cricket Superclinic.
Gillespie and Rolton taught 250 local children aged between nine and 11 the fundamental skills of the game using ten skill activities involving batting, bowling and fielding.
The Mount Compass children are some of the half-million young Australians who experience cricket each year through the Australian Cricket Board's (ACB) MILO Cricket program.
Gillespie, Rolton and Matthew Hayden are three new faces to MILO Cricket. They join other Australian representatives Adam Gilchrist, Belinda Clark and Julia Price.
Gillespie, who is currently preparing for the first Orange Test match against South Africa in Adelaide on Friday, said the ACB's focus on grassroots cricket has contributed to Australian cricket's success at the elite level.
"MILO Cricket provides a solid base for the growth of the sport across the country. The future success of both the Australian men's and women's teams will rest heavily on these programs. They teach kids the fundamentals of the game at an early age," Gillespie said.
"The programs develop co-ordination and ball skills and are designed to maximise participation and learning in a safe environment. They also offer important lessons about sportsmanship and striving for goals as part of a team."
"I'm really looking forward to passing on some of my knowledge to the kids. Cricket has always been an important part of my life and it is rewarding to see kids enjoy the game as well," he said.
Rolton, vice-captain of Australia's women's team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, said the programs were an excellent way to introduce young girls to the game.
"MILO Development Programs are a great way for girls to get a taste for the game of cricket. The beauty of these programs is that they are aimed at involving girls and boys equally," Rolton said.
The ACB injects more than $11 million into grassroots cricket each year, with Nestlé through its MILO brand playing an integral part in developing young Australians' cricket skills.
The MILO Cricket Superclinics are part of the broad group of MILO Cricket programs that first began in 1992. These include:
The Mount Compass clinic is one of eight MILO Cricket Superclinics taking place in each state and territory this year.
© 2001 Australian Cricket Board
| Teams | Australia. |
| First Class Teams | South Australia. |
| Players/Umpires | Jason Gillespie, Karen Rolton, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Belinda Clark, Julia Price. |
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Results - Forthcoming Desktop Scoreboard |
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