Cricket in Hackney Primary Schools
is organised and run by the Hackney Schools Athletic Association. From a low point in the early 1980's, When there was very little school cricket being played, for a variety of reasons, The association has now linked with The London Schools Cricket Project and other bodies such as the Middlesex Cricket Board to provide coaching in virtually all the Hackney Primary schools. Through out the 1990's the revival has continued. Teacher's enthusiasm has been rekindled by the support and initiatives from central organisations. The introduction of games such as KWIK CRICKET has made the game far more accessible to the non cricketing teacher. Throughout the summer term schools play in a number of competitions organised both by The London Schools Cricket Association and The Hackney Schools Athletic Association.
Locally organised competitions are mainly of the KWIK cricket type and are played mainly in school playgrounds.
Peter Whately Cup.
This competition has been running annually since 1984, and as such pre-dates kwik cricket. An average of 16 schools take part every year. This is an 8 a-side competition for mixed teams batting in pairs and losing 5 runs everytime they are dismissed. Being that the games are played in a variety of playgrounds there is a wonderful array of 'local'rules used, which always makes an away game 'interesting'
The schools are usually split into geographical leagues which then come together to play a finals festival on one night to decide the winners of the cup. Matches usually last 45 minutes.
2001 winners,Gainsborough
Eton Manor U10's.
This competition was first played in 1994 as a way to introduce younger children to our senior local club and also to provide an introduction and some continuity for school sides. This competition is played as a one night 'festival' at the Eton Manor ground. It is a Kwik cricket style 8 a-side game (everyone bowls, every one bats in pairs). The winners go on to represent Hackney in the county U10's competition, which is played at Lord's.
This years (2000) champions are St John of Jerusalem, Who retained the trophy defeating Gainsborough in the final.
The triumphant winners with coach Paul Goodwin.
Action from the game.
More action from the game.Other Competitions.
Kwik Cricket Festival.
This competition is run as a one night festival for mixed teams to find a team to represent the borough in the London championships at Lord's.
The Gainsborough School Kwik Cricket team at Lord's 1998
1999 Hackney winners Gainsborough, finished 6th in the London competition at Lords.
Girls Cricket.
A recent development has been the introduction of a Kwik Cricket knockout cup for girls only teams. This is played in the borough, the winners then representing Hackney at the all London finals at Lord's.
1999 Hackney winners St John of Jerusalem won the All London Final at Lords and so become county Champions.
The District Team
Each year I run a district team based on children drawn from the local schools and invited to 'performance bound' coaching through the Autumn and early Summer terms.
This team plays 30 over 'hard ball' (proper) cricket against local districts and in the London Schools Cricket Association, Henry Trophy, which we have won 6 times in the last 8 years.
This season the Hackney under 11's were defeated by Tower Hamlets in the Final of the London Schools A.R.Henry Trophy.
Boys and girls from this team are selected to play for the county teams of Essex and London Schools, training through the winter. Over the years we have toured on a regular basis for the two day cricket festival at Arundel Castle cricket centre in Sussex.
Any enquiries please mail me at:
david@hsaa.org.uk
To link to Hackney Schools' Athletic Association home page, click the button.
