Western Warriors take cricket to the regions

The program is supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

New Warriors head coach Mickey Arthur, State Captain and Australian Test representative Marcus North, reigning Laurie Sawle Medallist Luke Ronchi and young gun opening batsman Luke Towers, were among the high profile cricketers taking part in a series of school visits, meetings and MILO in2CRICKET clinics.

Western Fury players Peta Merrilees, Jenny Wallace, Jess Moyes and Gemma Triscari and the six CSBP Regional Cricket officers also added to the recruiting drive.

North and Merrilees captained their respective teams in 2009-10 and headed to the Wheatbelt to visit cricket lovers in Merredin, Kellerberrin, Northam and Toodyay.

Cricket lovers heard from thoughts and feelings of North and received expert tips on the game, only days before his scheduled departure for Australia's two-Test tour of India.

Arthur is the former South African national team coach and is heading into his first season in charge of the Warriors.

He made a short trip to the Great Southern along with left-arm spinner Aaron Heal, visiting Albany, Cranbrook and Kendenup.

Young wicketkeepers in the Goldfields Region were given glove-work advice from Warriors custodian Ronchi and Fury counterpart Wallace on their visit to Esperance.

Two rising stars in Towers and Fury pace bowler Gemma Triscari were in Busselton and Margaret River, while Warriors paceman Steve Magoffin joined promising Fury off-spinner Jess Moyes in the Central Districts Region.

The country visits were topped off last week when exciting Warriors all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile joined Wallace in Geraldton.

The WACA says the Regional Awareness and Recruitment Campaign builds on other recent initiatives that have ensured cricket in rural WA remains healthy.

This season also marks the first season of a three-year sponsorship by prominent WA fertiliser manufacturer and supplier CSBP as naming rights partner of the WACA's Regional Junior Cricket Program.

The growth in numbers playing junior cricket in regional WA has increased markedly over the past decade meaning the WACA is now able to employ six full-time CSBP Regional Cricket Officers.

WACA Game Development manager David Clear said the date for the Regional Awareness and Recruitment Campaign was set to coincide with the recruitment period for cricket clubs in the country.

"The CSBP Regional Cricket Officers have played an important role in organising these visits to schools and clubs for the Warriors and Fury players," Mr Clear said.

"We also acknowledge the support of the Department of Sport and Recreation for their assistance in taking the players to their destinations across the State.

"It is important that young people in country regions get access to their cricketing heroes, as opportunities for them are generally limited, and we are certain that the benefits of this day will be felt with even greater numbers of kids in regional WA taking up our great game."

Wheatbelt CSBP Regional Cricket officer Wayde McLean said North's high profile had a "massive impact" on the young players in his district.

He said the youngsters were able to meet North, ask him questions and even had the opportunity to bowl at him.

McLean said the Wheatbelt region experienced a big increase in playing numbers last year, with the recruiting campaign making an added difference in generating genuine interest.

His region runs from Brookton to Three Springs and was once a part-time role but the part-time farmer is now extremely grateful it's a full time job.

He said there were some good talented young players also coming through the local system, including Simon Mackin from Tammin, a fast bowler who was in the WA Under 17's squad last year and is playing for Willetton in the WACA district competition this season and is also in its innaugural development squad.

And Jason Hill, another fast bowler, from Meckering, who was in the WA Under 19's in 2009-10 and is playing for Perth in 2010-11 in the WACA league.