A recent visit to my optician, proved to be more than an eye opener, brought about by the teenager who was looking after me.
Among the questions he asked of me in a bid I assume to relax me, was did I have any hobbies. When I indicated my affection for cricket, he became quite animated, and said:”I would love to play cricket, but don’t know where to go in Aberdeen.”
It struck me he was not alone, in that the game in the area does not exactly scream its presence to the public.
After a cheerful exchange of knowledge of the game which has been in my very soul since I was aged eight, I pointed him in the direction of his nearest club in the city where he could be coached, and learn the basics of the sport.
I just hope he follows up his interest. Losing his enthusiasm and obvious energy would be tragic.
On the way home, I reflected on his situation, wondering just how many youngsters are lost to the game because of their lack of awareness of local facilities.
In fairness to the cricket fraternity, most clubs have ways by which they can recruit. The most popular, and probably effective is by word of mouth, while the more enterprising, like Fraserburgh take to the streets at the weekends, taking the game to the very heart of the community. Clubs who have schools on their doorsteps who play the game have of course a head start, but they are far too few.
Perhaps we need to go back to the days when enthusiastic, committed Grades officials, scoured the parks in search of young talent during summer holidays, although it would be much easier in my opinion, if local schools stepped up to the mark, and recognised the value of having 22 youngsters, of both sexes, out there on even a weekly basis, it would be a huge step in the right direction.
Alex Keith, one of the most prolific run scorers in the history of Grades cricket, once told me he learned the basics at Peterhead Academy. If cricket can be played on the wide open, exposed wastelands of Catto Park, it can be contested anywhere.
Hopefully my optician friend will soon be in the ranks of this great sport.