Sydney Thunder brought cricket to life across regional NSW as part of Cricket NSW's annual Country Blitz, connecting thousands of juniors with the game through school visits, clinics and community events.
Sydney Thunder blitz the country community, reaching more than 2,000 kids
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Thunder's biggest stars took part in six Cricket Clinics and 24 school visits to encourage registrations for Woolworths Cricket Blast and Junior Cricket to drive registrations ahead of the upcoming season.
Sam Konstas and Anika Learoyd took to the Greater Illawarra, visiting five Public Schools before joining more than 100 budding youngsters at a 'Come and Try Clinic' at North Dalton Park.
Anika Learoyd said:
"I just think you can't be what you can't see.
“For these kids to be able to come here and see the likes of Sammy Konstas, I think it's something so special and will hopefully inspire them to take up the game.
"I first got into cricket playing backyard cricket like a lot of these kids here today. What made me want to sign up was the ability to play more with my friends, week-in-week-out and from there it sparked.”
In a full-circle moment, Konstas was remarkably reunited with a young fan from Keiraville Public School, two years after gifting him his batting gloves during his SCG Test debut.
More than 500 juniors got to rub shoulders with Tanveer Sangha and Hannah Darlington in the Central Tablelands.
The pair were on hand for many signing sessions, a hugely popular clinic, and witnessed the Thunder Bus take a lap of Mount Panorama, responsibly.
Tanveer Sangha said:
“I like the passion I see, they've got their merchandise, they've got their flags, they've got their signs, they're having so much fun playing together.
"They're all talking about leg-spin bowling or they're talking about ramp shots. You can see there's a love of playing cricket, whether it's at school or at the ground.
"It's awesome for Thunder to be a part of this and I think the grassroots level is massively important."
Glamorgan hero Ryan Hadley was alongside NSW Breakers star Katie Mack in the Murrumbidgee region with the pair sharing coaching tips and leading skills sessions.
In true country fashion, they were also treated to a surprise when a local farmer from Leeton heard the cricketers were in town and gifted them with boxes of oranges and mandarins.
Fresh off the back of a T20 World Cup winning campaign, Tahlia Wilson shared stories from her experience to aspiring cricketers in the Far West region.
Sienna Eve visited the Murray region with Sarah Coyte in the state’s South-East, teaching skills and drills to smiling students.
Sydney Thunder WBBL|12 Home Fixtures
Sunday, November 1 | Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat
Drummoyne Oval (NSW), 3:40 PM (AEDT)
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Thursday, November 5 | Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers
Drummoyne Oval (NSW) 7:10 PM (AEDT)
Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo
Monday, November 16 | Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars
Drummoyne Oval (NSW) 7:10 PM (AEDT)
Foxtel, Kayo
Thursday, November 26 | Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers
North Sydney Oval (NSW) 3:40 PM (AEDT)
Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo
Saturday, November 28 | Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers
Drummoyne Oval (NSW) 7:10 PM(AEDT)
Foxtel, Kayo
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Sydney Thunder BBL|16 Home Fixtures
Wednesday, December 16 | Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers
Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka (ACT) 7:15 PM (AEDT)
Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo
Saturday, December 19 | Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers
ENGIE Stadium (NSW) 7:15 PM (AEDT)
Foxtel, Kayo
Sunday, December 27 | Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades
ENGIE Stadium (NSW) 7:15 PM (AEDT)
Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo
Saturday, January 2 | Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers
ENGIE Stadium (NSW) 7:15 PM (AEDT)
Foxtel, Kayo
Monday, January 11 | Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars
Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka (ACT) 7:15 PM (AEDT)
Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo