Benwell Hill All Stars kick-started on 6th May, and what a season it has been.
As a blanket of blue All Star shirts filled the field every Friday evening for eight consecutive sessions, this year we had a record 40 kids registered, AND for the first time in Benwell Hill All Stars history, the girls dominated in numbers 21 to 19.
This balance is amazing to see and achieve as we continue to promote equality in all sports.
Now on to the roundup.
After a patchy two years with kids starting and stopping the sports they enjoy due to COVID 19, we were pleased to see full sessions each and every week.
With various bowling, catching, and batting drills, no week was the same, keeping the kids, the coaches, and even on some weeks, parents on their toes.
The kids learnt the fundamentals of cricket, practicing their star stance as an introduction to bowling, how to stand in the correct position and hold the bat for the best swing, and how to confidently catch in the field.
However, the most important thing the kids learnt was how to have fun with friends.
You could hear the laughter across the entire field with some great warm-up games to get the sessions underway from stuck in the mud, messy bedrooms, and catch the coaches (of course, the last game was the favourite!).
The biggest highlight of this year’s All Star Season…
….was the infamous visit from the STAR.
This year, our Benwell Hill STAR made not only one appearance but two. Showing the kids how practice makes perfect when it comes to batting, however, I think the kids will all agree that our STAR’s bowling needs some practice ; )
A big thank you goes to all our coaches who volunteer their Friday nights to do what they love. Teach cricket and inspire the next generation.
And speaking of the next generation, five of our All Stars who have reached the grand old age of 8 have enjoyed the sessions so much that they’ve signed up to become a Benwell Hill Junior for the rest of the season!
Thanks again to all parents who have dedicated their Friday night to the Hill; we hope the mix-ups and drinks range kept you going!
Finally, congratulations to our All Star James Kennelly who won tickets to England v India at Trent Bridge next month in the ECB prize draw to be part of the National All Stars guard of honour for the players, hope you and your family have a fantastic day!
If you would like any information on Benwell Hill membership or our junior cricket setup, please feel free to speak to:
Mark Wright
