Expanding Crickets Boundaries!
In organising the first fixture against an ICC country by a York Senior or York Vale League side, Yapham Cricket Club is helping to spread cricket’s appeal to Europe’s far corners!
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the venue for this initiative which includes a fixture against the British Embassy XI and the Bulgarian National XI.
Another highlight is the coaching day for Bulgarian schoolchildren at the Bulgarian Sports Academy, where the five qualified coaches who are part of the tour party, will provide morning and afternoon sessions for up to 40 children a time.
‘We are not sure of quite what to expect’ said 1st XI captain Joe Moore, ‘but we are all looking forward to playing cricket against a national side in conditions that will be very different from those we are used to.’
One of the club coaches, Martin Eede said ‘I’ve been very impressed with the desire of people in Bulgaria to establish cricket as a sport in the country. We are meeting the head of the Bulgarian Cricket Federation to discuss what further links can be arranged to help them improve standards in the country.’
The trip could not have been arranged without the active help of the British Embassy in Sofia who, amongst many other responsibilities, are helping to promote sporting links in the country.
Yapham Cricket Club runs three sides in the York Senior and York Vale Cricket Leagues, has 12 ECB qualified coaches, has a large and successful junior section, a growing women’s section, won the national Christopher Martin-Jenkins ‘Spirit of Cricket’ Award in 2014 and is shortly opening a new clubhouse. The population of Yapham is 217!
For more information contact Martin Eede on 07743930352 or at martinhighridge174@talktalk.net