Primary school on the ball

A BALLARAT primary school have come runners up at the Cricket Victoria Community Cricket Awards.

Canadian Lead Primary School had 42 girls take part in their program last year which saw them nominated.

The awards aim to celebrate contributions which help grow cricket at schools and clubs.

Teachers, Alice Jury and Josh Morganti, were present at the awards night and said the recognition was exciting for their school.

“Last year we took part in the all-girls Cricket Blasters program and the aim was to provide the opportunity for girls to take part in cricket,” Ms Jury said.

“We decided it would be a great opportunity for our girls, with a few who were interested in cricket and the majority who had never played before.

“We try to provide students at our school with as many programs as possible to show them what’s out there.”

The hour sessions ran over a four-week period.

“It was really cool over that four-week period to see the girls’ skills and improve and they’ve been asking when we’re doing it again and wanting to play cricket at snack and lunch,” Ms Jury said.

She also said that growing up in the country she played a lot of sport and wanted to give children a chance to try something different.

“It’s getting the idea out there that cricket isn’t just for boys,” she said.