THE future looks bright for girls’ cricket in South Cumbria after a pair of successful winter training days.

Primary and secondary school pupils rolled up to Furness College’s Matchbox for Cumbria Cricket area training days.

South Cumbria coach Colin Knight – who leads the South Lakes Maidens team, based at Lindal Moor CC – was thrilled to see 36 youngsters spend two hours going through coaching and games.

“It was marvellous,” said Knight, who led the workshop along with Barrow cricket development officer Jake Woods and coach Kirby Linton.

“We had a really good turnout, the lasses really enjoyed it and I think they will all be back in a fortnight.

“We’re trying to promote girls’ cricket throughout the county, trying to get as many girls interested as we can who might go on to play for the county.

“We’ve got under-13s, under-15s and under-17s squads now and we need more players to fill them up. We’re hoping for greater numbers.”

He added: “We think the sport will keep growing. There has been a change in the county set-up and it’s looking good.”

Both the primary and secondary sessions at Furness College saw 18 children attend, some of whom already play for the Maidens and others who are without a club but who have been drawn to cricket through their schools.

The younger children went through some skills practice before taking part in several games and matches during their two hours, while the older children were able to work on existing talent.

Knight added: “We did mainly games with the younger ones.

“We did a little bit of crash mat stuff, we got a tennis ball feeder and did some smashing with that and Jake did a little bit of bowling as well. We had quite a few games with them and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

“A few of them come to me for South Lakes Maidens, but there were a lot of new ones from the schools and that was really good.

“I think we should get more next time and hopefully they will stick with it.

“We’ll do different things with them next time, but there will still be loads of games and a chance for them to run around and enjoy themselves.

“After that, they can come and train at South Lakes Maidens and there will be other activities for them as well through Jake. It is all looking good.”

The next girls cricket sessions at Furness College will be held on Sunday, January 24.

The primary school session runs between 9.45am and 11.45am, followed immediately by the secondary school session until 1.45pm.

For more information, contact Colin Knight on 07508 870653.