PE in the Park! Bears lay on cricket coaching session for pupils

Youngsters from a Coventry school had a Blast as Bears laid on PE in the Park with a cricket session as part of the Club’s community roadshow.

The Edgewick Community Primary pupils enjoyed a series of fun coaching drills in Edgwick Park, Foleshill, under the expert eye of the Club’s coaches plus Bears players Liam Norwell and Ethan Brookes.

It was the final stop in a week-long Bears on Tour campaign that saw the Club’s coffee van visit communities across the region in the build-up to the Vitality Blast T20 launch on Saturday at Edgbaston.

School Learning Mentor, Ruth Rock, said: “We’ve a diverse cohort of children in our school, some who love cricket and will go home and watch the IPL (Indian Premier League) but some who have perhaps never picked up a cricket bat before.

“Having you guys gives them inspiration to play the game. Everyone’s had a brilliant time, and I’m sure an experience they’ll remember for many years to come.

“It would be so lovely to think that some of our children could go on to carve out a career in cricket. Hopefully sessions like this will be the catalyst.”

The Bears’ new Blast shirt is made from recycled coffee beans and during the tour staff handed out more than 1,000 free cuppas!

Bears all-rounder Ethan Brookes spent two hours playing with the children. He said: “I can remember doing exactly this kind of thing as a youngster, fond memories for me as I was trying to make my way in cricket. 

“It’s all about encouraging children to enjoy cricket and, who knows, we may find a few stars of the future. I was doing some catching drills with the children and there’s certainly a few good fielders.”

The eight and nine-year-olds tried their hand at batting, bowling and fielding. 

Warwickshire Cricket Board coach Andy Turner said there were some unorthodox shots but plenty of skill, and smiles, on show.

He added: “Bears on Tour is a great initiative, it takes the Club out to people who’ve perhaps not been to Edgbaston before and gives them a taste for cricket.

“But this isn’t a one-off. We’re active all year round in more than 100 schools delivering cricket sessions, hopefully inspiring the next generation of Bears players, but also using cricket as a vehicle for positive physical and mental health.”

And Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport at Coventry City Council, added: “This has been a fantastic experience for pupils of Edgewick Community Primary.

“Sessions like this give children the opportunity to take part in a sport that they might not have had the chance to experience before.

“Working with partners such as Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Go Foleshill, a project delivered by Positive Youth Foundation, to implement activities like this in the community shows the impact partnership work can have.”