Dornoch cricket club's 'incredible' rise from the ashes
Parents in a Sutherland town have come together to spearhead the revival of a former cricket club.
The newest incarnation of Dornoch Cricket Club has been met with an incredible response so far with almost fifty kids learning the basics of the game.
More than 25 years have passed since cricket has been played in the town, after the previous club withdrew from the North of Scotland Reserve League in 1996.
The decision to resurrect the club was taken after parents David Diracles, Gary Dingwall and Matt Millward had initially volunteered via High Life Highland to deliver some lunchtime sessions at Dornoch Academy.
The sessions were so well received that parents decided to reform the club, while also setting up a home for its team at Dornoch's Meadows playing fields.
The club’s fundraising efforts have so far enabled the installation of a brand new artificial wicket and practice nets at their new park.
Wednesday evenings now see almost fifty children of ages 5–16 attending regular practice sessions.
Matches have already been played against established sides, Ross County Cricket Club (Strathpeffer) and Northern Counties Cricket Club (Inverness).
Matt, a Level 2 ECB qualified coach, has been working alongside parents to deliver sessions that engage and teach the young cricketers the basics of the game.
He said: "The reaction from the young people has been incredible. They have taken on the basics with aplomb and can now bowl and bat with increasing technique and are regularly seen at the pitch in the evenings practicing among themselves."
The new club are also preparing to hold training sessions for adults.
"Adults will be getting a go too, with many locals awaiting the first adult practice session starting on Tuesday May 31 from 6.30pm – 8pm. We may also play some friendlies in the summer.
"We will also have social events planned alongside the junior and senior matches.
"We encourage people of all abilities to come and attend and give cricket a go."
