Second Annual Gingins CC Junior Cricket Camp
Pictures really can tell a thousand words! This was evident looking at the photos taken of the 50 young enthusiasts who participated in the 2nd Annual Gingins CC Cricket Camp from Sunday Aug 15th to Tuesday Aug 17th. At the camp the Spirit of Cricket was clearly alive and thriving as 50 kids from the Lac Leman region enjoyed the 2nd Annual GCC Cricket Camp.
Daniel Trevillian from Cricket Victoria - after suffering a planes, trains and automobiles experience to actually get to Geneva from the UK on Sunday afternoon - led the 2 day session with many smiles, much happiness, fun and concentration from all the participating children.
In stark contrast to last year's event, which was held in +35C temperatures outside at the Gingins Centre Sportif, this year's event was held indoors at the La Chat International School because the weather was a shocker.
Nonetheless, the camp was a roaring success. Word had clearly spread about the great success of Gingins CC's inaugural camp last year. Many kids were participating for the 2nd year in a row but there were many new kids too - 50 kids was testimony to the fact that there's a great interest in cricket in the region and a terrific hunger to learn amongst the kids.
Victoria's Daniel Trevillian was absolutely brilliant. He kept the kids moving through a great range of exercises designed to be fun but also to help the kids get a handle on good cricket skills and techniques. The kids hung on his every word and went about the challenges with great gusto. Having so many kids present in a confined space could have been a greater challenge, but in fact the kids knuckled down and listened well when listening was required and played the games with great vitality and competitive spirit too.
The participants did manage to get outside on the afternoon of the 2nd day. Some matches were held on the all-weather field at the school and the kids were eager to put all they'd learnt into practice in match situations. We had some cracking shots from the younger kids' group and some 6s from the older boys as the balls went sailing over the high fence! There were some top catches and excellent bowling - the players were simply great.
At the end of the camp each participant was given a Spirit of Cricket card which described the MCC Spirit of Cricket laws. These cards were donated to the Club by the MCC so a special thanks for their support. We place great emphasis on the Spirit of Cricket at our Club and you can find the Spirit of Cricket Preamble to the Laws of Cricket on our "About Us" page.
There was great feedback from all the kids and the parents and the plan is certainly to run a 3rd camp next year. This very much depends on whether a coach from Cricket Victoria will again be visiting the UK, but our fingers are very much crossed.
On that note we have to again send our heartfelt thanks to John Watkin at Cricket Victoria. John has been a terrific support to Gingins club and also to the kids of the Lac Leman region. Last year John asked Rhys Miller to come over to lead the session. Daniel Trevillian did the honours this year and again it was great to see the players respond. It was also excellent for the Gingins CC coaches to watch Daniel in action and to learn new ways to bring fun and skills sessions to the kids. With coaches and leaders like John, Rhys and Daniel, it really isn't hard to see why Victoria is doing so well in Australian cricket! And neither Rhys last year nor Daniel this year asked for any fee for their coaching. We think this shows the great values of these young people, but also those of Cricket Victoria, so we want to say Thank You very much indeed to John and to Daniel for supporting junior cricket in the west of Switzerland again this year. All the funds raised by the camp subscriptions will go towards new equipment but also towards our fundraising target for the new Gingins CC ground.
Pacer Sports, the only cricket shop in Switzerland, also generously made a donation towards the Club's fundraising efforts in pursuit of our new ground.
A very large thank you to the La Chat School for the use of their Sports hall. Without it the Sunday and Monday sessions could not have taken place as the weather was so appalling.
So, that's the camp for another year. On my way to work I couldn't help but wish that I was rather heading off to the cricket field again, awaiting the smiling faces and keen, focused kids to turn up and show us their styles, love for the game and hunger for knowledge. We will certainly look to do it again next year and once again, thanks to everyone for their support and thanks to all the children for their approach, their attitude and their enthusiasm!