Sydney Thunder’s Ryan Hadley gives a few pointers in the nets.
The Corowa Public School assembly hall was filled to the brim today with students listening closely as Sydney Thunder Big Bash heroes, Hannah Darlington and Ryan Hadley took to the stage.
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After students had asked the hard-hitting questions such as “what footy team do you support?” and “what other sport would you play if you could?” everybody moved outside for the best bit - a series of bowling, batting and fun-filled cricket activities.
All-rounder Hannah went from changing the screens at Sydney Thunder home matches, to getting her first game in the women’s team, two years later.
Hannah Darlington from the WBBL inspires the girls to play cricket as well.
Hannah said junior cricketers were lucky, as many professional Big Bash players had come from country areas across NSW.
“We (Sydney Thunder) want to show students that there is always a possibility of playing BBL,” she said.
“Hopefully after the clinic, students get to a point where they love playing cricket as much as we do.”
Having moved from archrivals, Sydney Sixers, Ryan Hadley spent the last two seasons with the Sydney Thunder and said it felt nice seeing young children enjoy the game.
Howzat! Well, almost.
“I would’ve been that annoying kid asking 100 questions and hanging off the hip of the player who came to my school, and we have a couple like that here today, which is good,” Ryan said.
“It is crazy, the number of kids who hang around after home games, asking for photographs, recognising all the players.
“The kids' enjoyment for it and involvement in BBL is crazy.”
Corowa PS assistant principal, Richard Fraid said students were buzzing in anticipation for the visit.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for students to actually see different pathways in female and male cricket,” Richard said.
If the Sydney Thunder weren’t the Corowa kids’ favourite BBL team before, they are now.
Both cricketers ran engaging activities, while providing students with tips and tricks and once the class finished, each student received a signature and high-five from both players, with smiling faces all around.
