The next generation of North Otago cricketers will have a chance to meet their sporting heroes next week.
The Otago Volts will visit Oamaru for a fun have-a-go day next Wednesday, ahead of the cricket season later this month.
It is the first time they have visited Waitaki since late 2020, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
North Otago cricket development officer Jaden Dowling said he could not wait for the team to return to the region.
‘‘The last couple of times they’ve planned to come up, they’ve been halted due to Covid, so it’s quite exciting to have those rep boys coming up and showing face in the the district. So yeah, real excited.’’
It was a great way for them to give back to the North Otago region, he said.
‘‘North Otago sort of punches above its weight in cricket, and they’ve also had representation in the Volts before, so it’s cool that they’re coming back and showing [up at events in the community].’’
The day would involve games, giveaways and more, he said.
Dowling hoped the community would come out and get involved in the day.
‘‘We’ve got a two-day holiday programme leading up to [the Volts visit] as well. There’s a few kids registered for that, so that, hopefully, will lead nicely into the have-a-go day.’’
The visit would be a great opportunity for people to meet and interact with the team, especially since it rarely played in North Otago, he said.
The last time the Volts played a match in Oamaru was January 2011, when St Kevin’s College deputy principal Craig Smith was still playing for the side.
The have-a-go day gets under way from noon on Wednesday, at Centennial Park. North Otago cricketer Llew Johnson, who received his first Otago Volts contract this season, could be among the players coming.
