The students at St Michael's Primary School in Nelson Bay have been getting a lesson in the sport of cricket.
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Students from Kindergarten to Year 2 are taking part in a four-week program being promoted by the Sydney Sixers Mascot Cricket Challenge and featuring mascot Syd.
"As well as learning skills like bouncing, catching and throwing the students have gained knowledge on how to work in groups, what it means to be a member of a team and most of all how fun cricket is," said teacher Jess Nunan.
"The program also aims to provide students with fundamental motor skills that will lay the foundation for them to lead a healthy and active life in an action-packed 10 minutes a day."
On June 14 two cricket coaches - Paige Mathewson and Tayla Braithwaite - accompanied the Sydney Sixers mascot (Syd), who was a highlight as far the kids were concerned. "The students showed off their cricket skills all while being high-fived by Syd and cheered on by the coaches."
At the start of every challenge every child will receive a stress ball, certificate and sticker sheet to be awarded throughout the program.
Every week the students are given a target for four activities progressing in difficulty, allowing students to develop at their own pace in a fun, supportive environment.
Each week is focused on developing a new fundamental skill, such as catching, throwing and bouncing. The challenge is free to the schools and easy to deliver.
It can be run in the classroom as a brilliant bran-breaking activity, or outside with everything the school provided from stress balls to lesson resources. For St Michael's, the Mascot Challenge is becoming the favourite time of the school day for many of its participating students.
The Sydney Sixers are proud to play their part in the community, using Big Bash cricket as a vehicle to run a number of community-focused programs and initiatives that aim to engage, excite and inspire school children across the Port Stephens community.
Some of the programs include Beach Blast, which takes all the fun and excitement of the Big Bash to young children; and 'Be The Best Me', a program designed to equip young women in years 7 and 8 with the essential tools and knowledge to be their best self.
There are also tailored cricket programs and competitions for juniors from as young as 5 years old through to 17; and 'Girls Colour Blast', which is a money can't buy experience for mothers and daughters who are new to cricket.
Sixers Sisters is a mentoring program that identifies talented young female cricketers and provides them with an opportunity to meet and train with WBBL member, while Kids Zone provides a Sixers-themed colouring in print out that the kids can enjoy at home or on their way to the match.