HOWZAT FOR STARTERS? All Stars cricketers turned out in force at Raby Castle CC for the launch of the scheme to get five to eight-year-olds involved in the game
HOWZAT FOR STARTERS? All Stars cricketers turned out in force at Raby Castle CC for the launch of the scheme to get five to eight-year-olds involved in the game

DOZENS of budding cricketers have signed up for a new scheme which is being run at the dale’s clubs.

All Stars Cricket aims to get children aged between five and eight – and their families – involved in the game.

The scheme, organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board, was launched last week at Barnard Castle CC, Raby Castle CC and Middleton-in-Teesdale CC.

More than 70 children descended on Barnard Castle Cricket Club, while there were another 30 at Raby Castle and a further 28 at Middleton.

Barnard Castle CC juniors co-ordinator John Ashworth said the aim of the All Stars scheme was to introduce the children to cricket and hopefully get them to take it up as a sport.

He added: “We have been doing junior cricket here for the last 15 years each Wednesday.

“The hope is a lot of the kids will join the Wednesday sessions.”

Darren Brown, development officer for the Durham Cricket Board, said almost 2,000 children across the county had signed up to the All Stars scheme.