More than 500 children have participated in the Redball Cricket Festivals, held at Aberdeenshire Cricket Club (ACC) in Mannofield, Aberdeen on the 4th,11th and 20th June 2019.
The Redball Programme was created by ACC and Drum Property Group as an in-school cricket programme, allowing children aged nine to 11 to benefit from the opportunity to learn and play cricket. Following an expanded 20-week coaching programme for 1292 children at 17 primary schools throughout the city, the Festival days at Mannofield saw them all come together to show off their cricketing skills and play matches against each other.

Day 1. 4th June

Ashley Road, Broomhill, Hazelhead, Kingsford,St Josephs, Robert Gordons College

Day 2. 11th June

Ashley Road, Mile End, Milltimber, Holy Family, Fernilea, St Peters

Day 3. 20th June

Broomhill, Kittybrewster, Kaimhill

Based on Cricket Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence strategy, the Redball programme is designed to allow maximum participation, assist teachers and students to achieve curriculum outcomes, whilst ensuring cricket is delivered in a fun and engaging way.

During the past year, the programme has delivered 264 coaching sessions for children, and 2019 saw another two primary schools receive coaching, extending the programme to seventeen schools as it continues to expand throughout Aberdeen.

In addition to the increased coaching activity, as a direct result of Redball, new after school cricket clubs were delivered at Hazelhead Primary school and Cults Academy, a cricket lunch club ran at Kingsford Primary school, and the Redball coaches have supported school health weeks and sports days. 24 children (15 boys and 9 girls) have also joined the junior section of ACC as a result of their new-found enthusiasm for the sport.

Drum Property Group Finance Director Stuart Oag attended the Festival days. He said: “This is the fourth year of Redball coaching in schools, and we have been delighted to see both participation levels and the number of schools increase again year on year. The programme offers boys and girls the opportunity to learn new skills in a team format, and you can see how much it means to the 500 children playing matches at the Festival days over the past couple of weeks.
Aberdeenshire Cricket Club continues to drive the programme to a wider audience, and Drum look forward to supporting the ongoing expansion of Redball and to encourage as many children as possible to get active and enjoy themselves.”

Bob Buchan of Aberdeenshire Cricket Club and Redball Programme Manager said: “The continuing support from Drum Property Group has allowed us to expand the Redball programme and look to develop opportunities outwith the delivery within the schools. In a year where the cricket World Cup is showcasing the game it is fantastic to have so many of the schoolchildren coming to the club to continue developing their skills.”