Craig McMillan has seldom played for anyone but the Black Caps in recent seasons. Yet he has taken time to play for one of the most positive sports initiatives in Canterbury.

The Willows Cricket Club near Loburn was founded in 1994 based on the principle that school first XIs should play against more experienced players, many of whom are present or past first-class cricketers.

The Willows has an ambience about it that makes you want to contribute. The hospitality of Mike Dormer, president John Mitchell (a former Central Districts player) and everyone at the club is full of attention to detail. The Willows is a place to meet former players and enthusiasts, invited to share in the unique ambience of the place.

Old-fashioned values are promoted. Mitchell, deputy head at Burnside High School, says: "Your challenge is two-fold. One, to enjoy a competitive 50-over match at a wonderful ground and two, to watch and learn from the opposition players. From them you will appreciate how cricket should be played. The tone of the game will be hard but fair. You will be able to focus on your own play, batting and bowling, on a perfect pitch, with experienced umpires and scorers and without the distractions of sledging, hysterical appealing and the like."

Players ranging in age from Lance Cairns (51) to Wade Cornelius (22) have faced schools from as far afield as Otago Boys' High School and Wanganui Collegiate this season.

Former St Andrews College and New Zealand Test player Paul McEwan gave his former school team a batting lesson both on and off the pitch in a recent game.

Based on the English tradition of I Zingari or Free Foresters, some players are opting to play in the happy atmosphere of The Willows rather than in Christchurch club cricket.

So, as another season, the seventh for The Willows, ends, the subtle influence of this worthy club continues to grow in Canterbury. Quoted on their programme are the words of M.A. Noble (1873-1940), Australian captain between 1903-09.

"Cricket has, in my own case, as in many others, been the means of forming and consolidating friendships which have had a lasting and beneficial effect on me. I am proud of cricket and its traditions, and I fully appreciate the honour of being one of those whose privilege it is to carry on those traditions unsullied."

This is the philosophy The Willows seeks to follow.

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