Dollar Academy hosted a festival of cricket at the weekend, with 170 children aged ten and under from across Scotland coming to the school for the National Kwik-Cricket Tournament on Sunday 28th August.

The school  was hosting the tournament on behalf of the Scottish Cricket Union and provided 8 wickets and boundaries and access to the pavilion facilities.  There were 16 different clubs represented.  The teams were welcomed by Jamie Frost a member of the Dollar PE teaching staff, who said: “Cricket at Dollar is played in one of the most picturesque settings in Scotland. We are delighted to be sharing our facilities with young cricketers from across Scotland.”

The emphasis of the day was on gaining experience, improving game techniques and having fun.  Five rounds of cricket were played.  Commenting on the day, Kirsteen Ross, Perth and Kinross Cricket Development Officer, said:  “It was a really super day of cricket and we have been very impressed with the talent on display, which bodes very well for the future of Scottish Cricket. I saw some terrific fielding; catching, diving and stopping the ball; some accurate bowling and a high standard of batting with every player giving their best in each game. The atmosphere was very positive and encouraging and the “spirit of cricket” was very evident with children, coaches and parents applauding good play from both teams.

Cricket is a major sport for both boys and girls at Dollar Academy with coaching available for all year groups. The school has produced a significant number of cricket internationalists. In 2011, two Dollar boys represented Scotland at u17 level and a recent leaver will be part of the Scotland squad for the ICC u19 World Cup in Australia.

September 2011