Developed by the University of Newcastle in partnership with Cricket Australia, the ‘Daughters and Dads Cricket Program’ is designed to address the participation barriers faced by 7 to 12-year-old girls and is on offer from the end of July for nine weekly sessions at Girraween High School.
Cricket Australia’s Jane Moffat says it’s the perfect opportunity for daughters and dads to spend time together, boosting their relationship, fitness and skills – all while having fun.
“We have a limit of 20 families we can accommodate and still have places available before the program starts next week,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be a dad, it can be an uncle, stepdad, grandfather or other male role model.
“The university found girls are behind boys in running and catching when they start school and that’s because girls are treated differently from birth.
“Dads learn about the culture of gender prejudice ‘pinkification’ that exists in their daughters’ lives, and how they can become gender equity advocates and improve their daughters’ confidence to play.”
The education sessions focus on developing daughters’ understanding of cricket and building emotional skills such as resilience, persistence, self-control and bravery.
The practical sessions focus on three areas – rough and tumble fielding, batting and bowling skills and modified cricket games.
Starting on Monday, July 25, 5.30-7pm, the course costs $130 for a daughter and dad, who will receive a t-shirt, and a reduction in price to $30 using an Active Kids Voucher.
Bookings, details: daughtersanddads@cricket.com.au.
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ONLY 14 per cent of Australian junior cricketers are girls, with a number of physical, psychological and environmental barriers impacting on girls’ motivation to pick up a bat and ball.