Junior Weekend in Austria is well supported

More than 250 Austrian juniors from a local school near Vienna were treated to a one-day Kwik cricket introduction programme organised by the Austrian Cricket Association on 24-25 June at the Seebarn ground.

The children, most of whom did not know about cricket prior to the event, practised basic cricket techniques at several stations erected on the Seebarn C.G. outfield, before playing a series of Kwik cricket matches to round off the day's activities. Local mayor Mr Steindl said of the day: 'It was a magnificent introduction to a relatively unknown sport in Austria.

I am sure it will catch on very soon, especially with our kids.'Mr Steindl hosted a reception later in the day for the visiting German Under 15 XI who were in Seebarn to play two inaugural matches against their Austrian counterparts.

Austria's well-drilled unit were well on top after the first match which was abandoned due to bad light with Germany on 85 for 5, chasing an improbable 282 for victory. The second match was reduced to 20 overs per team due to early rain, with Austria running out victors by 5 wickets with 1 over to spare.

This event was the culmination of spring and summer Austrian youth development initiatives which have introduced cricket to more than 1000 schoolchildren in the Vienna area. An ECB level one coaching course will be held in Vienna in October for around 15 local sports teachers who have expressed an interest in continuing with cricket as a schoolsí curriculum sport.