Professional cricket teams in Sydney are having a positive impact by drawing junior players to the sport in Port Macquarie.
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The next generation of Port Macquarie cricketers enjoyed games and sharpened their skills as part of the Sydney Sixers Holiday Program at Oxley Oval on January 9.
The clinic followed a string of six wins for the Sixers on January 8, 5, 2 and on December 28 and 26.
"We are certainly seeing a new link between the Big Bash League, the performances of the Sydney Sixers and participation rates in regional NSW," said Cricket NSW cricket manager Luke Miner.
"Cricket is growing in a girls space with the Women's Big Bash League having a successful season which prompted more girls playing than ever before. We've had a 50 per cent increase in participation from girls aross NSW."
The Sixers are the inaugural champions of the domestic Twenty20, Big Bash League and have been runners-up twice.
They were also invited to and won the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa during October 2012.
"Over the years our best trick has always been the Ashes and when Australia does well in the Ashes we usually see an uptick in participation," said Mr Miner.
"Naturally the success of elite teams does have an impact on numbers but making really sustainable cultures and experiences for younger kids will takeaway the need for our high performance teams to be doing so well.
"Our goal is to have sustainable structures in place especially for kids aged five to 12. We want those kids that know the game or the ones new to cricket to be engaged in a fun environment to learn the skills of game."
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