Jeff Maguire
Dundrum CC

Dundrum Cricket Club started a very ambitious coaching in schools programme a few weeks ago with six primary schools involved:

• All Children's Integrated,
• Newcastle  Primary,
• Carnacaville  Primary,
• Castlewellan Primary,
• Annsborough Primary, and
• Sacred Heart Dundrum.

The eight week programme will culminate with a with finals day in June.

Three secondary schools are also involved:

• Kilkeel High,
• St Malachys Castlewellan, and
• Shimna Integrated College.

There is a specific focus on getting girls involved in the coaching with the ambition of Dundrum forming a girl’s team. The fact that the club is not charging anything and providing a free cricket set for each school to keep is testament to the small village club and shows that they are trying to push the great game of cricket to everyone in the community.

They now have three level 2 coaches and seven level 1 coaches fully trained.

Dundrum have bounced back from two arson attacks in the nineties, built  a new pavilion and have been rebuilding ever since with this year more drainage, boundary extension  broadband now into the club, scorebox and car park and at last electricity down to the scorebox which will help get more use of the bowling machine.

The senior practice takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 (weather permitting) and the juniors (Under 11/13) and minis taking place on Mondays with the Under 15s on Wednesdays. All new members, no matter what age, are welcome. It is hoped to run a ladies and girls nights very soon and Prem Ahire our Indian overseas coach with be working with every team and school.

The club committee have been working nonstop over the winter and after having no Junior section seven years ago they signed their first overseas coach Sri Lankan Manoj Fernando and they now have a very successful set up with under 11/13/15/17 teams. Tours are planned to Dublin and England this year which is on the back of two trips to Scotland over the last two years. The club has had a number of members attend cricket coaching and first aid courses and there are plans for the club to obtain Clubmark NI accreditation this year. In addition the club will be rolling out CPR training to all members which will support the use of the new Defibrillator AED which the club recently acquired.

The Meadow at Dundrum Cricket Club is great place come watch your kids enjoy fun games & exercise and either enjoy tea and coffee or go for walk at Murlough nature reserve.

Anyone interested in supporting or sponsoring the club in any way can contact Jeff Maguire 028 4375 1442 or through the club facebook page or the website www.dundrumcc.btck.co.uk/