FINANCIAL backing to the tune of £4,000 from the Fourways Food supermarkets chain has given a sporting boost to Cricket in Bury. The cash has allowed the Borough to match the amount under the Government's business sponsorship scheme, Sportsmatch.

The money is to be used to encourage local children to play cricket and improve skill levels in the game.

It means top coaches will now go into 18 local primary schools to improve standards of cricket.

The idea is that cricket skill levels will improve in the future and, at the very least, afford youngsters plenty of fun.

The scheme will also introduce a Kwik Cricket Festival for all primary schools.

And the winners will be going to Lancashire Cricket Club's Old Trafford ground in July to compete in a country-wide event.

Stronger links will be forged between schools and local clubs and there will be induction courses for coaches who wish to go into schools to teach the sport.

Said leisure services committee chairman Councillor David Willis: "Thanks to Fourways's backing we have been able to get the Sportsmatch funding which has brought a big boost to our cricket development initiative.

"Hopefully in years to come the benefits will be a significant improvement in the level of cricket played in the Borough."

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