Sayers assists Yorkshire with literacy for children scheme (From Wharfedale Observer)

Sayers assists Yorkshire with literacy for children scheme

9:50am Thursday 28th January 2010

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Monday saw the launch of the seventh annual North Yorkshire playing for success scheme which is organised by the North Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, in a bid to improve the learning experience of children who are at risk of underachieving from two schools within the North Yorkshire area, writes Tom McGarry. The children will gather once a week at Headingley Carnegie stadium and receive expert help from experienced cricket coaches in both a practical and academic way. The scheme’s ultimate aim is to improve the literacy, numeracy and ICT skills among children aged 10-14 years, but Yorkshire County Cricket Club are also looking to find a new generation of supporters and who knows, maybe the next Joe Sayers. The England Lions player from Otley was in attendance to show his support for the scheme.

The two schools fortunate enough to be selected for the event were Bilton Grange Primary and Harrogate High School, whose head teacher Andy Bayston said he was looking forward to seeing the children enhance their learning experience.

“It is important that children these days get a good blend of academic and active learning,” he said.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive Stewart Regan explained that Headingley Stadium was just one of 162 Playing For Success centres in what is one of Britain’s fastest growing national initiatives. He said: “ Many children find it difficult to concentrate at school, are not learning as well as they might or perhaps need a different way of motivating them. We think that this scheme will help to inspire the youngsters in North Yorkshire and help them succeed in the short and longer term.

“Previously the children that benefited from the scheme at Headingley Carnegie were primarily from West Yorkshire. As a Club we represent the entire county and this scheme provides us with an opportunity to reach out to other parts of the county.”

This year around 3,000 children will participate in the ten week programme, with the North Yorkshire scheme being one of the more prestige events due to the professional element and national recognition Yorkshire County Cricket Club has. The children of Bilton Grange and Harrogate High school will have the opportunity to meet and train with some of the country’s most renowned cricketers and learn about the dedication it takes to succeed.

One man who knows about this dedication is Sayers. The former Guiseley Cricket Club player who was a student at St Mary’s RC Schoiol, menston, who has carded ten first class centuries in his career, including a career high 187.

He has managed to juggle his early cricketing career with the intense pressure that comes with studying for a degree at Oxford University. Sayers had high praise for the scheme saying: “It gives children the opportunity to learn how to operate as part of a team and how to remain disciplined in certain situations.” “From my experience of combining education with sport there is a big crossover and a lot can be learned in either environment that can be applied in other fields. The children who are part of this scheme will learn a great deal about how to operate as part of a team, perhaps how to lead a team and the discipline that is required to perform in a sporting sense at their current level.

“This scheme provides the children with a tremendous opportunity which they should definitely make the most of.”

The scheme will culminate at Bilton Cricket Club on March 12 where there will be a presentation evening for the children to reward those who have performed well and tried hard during the ten weeks. No doubt this will be a great occasion for all as this year’s scheme looks set to be the most successful yet.

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