Seddon Cricket Club sent twelve U17 players from around the Northern Districts geographical region down to Christchurch today.

The players are accompanied by former New Zealand Cricket representative, Matthew Hart #153, and former Northern Districts representative for 17 years, Joey Yovich #176. Paul (PJ) Williams, who is one of the finest TID and Development Managers in New Zealand is helping coach the team with Darin Armstrong, who is a veteran High-Performance rugby & cricket Team Manager, leading the ship.

In conjunction with Northern Districts, Seddon Cricket Club has mostly selected teenage players from smaller rural schools.

All players have exciting talent but don’t necessarily get exposed to quality cricket coaching or opportunities because of the location they live in or the lack of resources that are offered to them.

Today all the players that have been selected for this tour went to Hagley Oval and spent the afternoon being coached by former New Zealand opener and cricket legend, John Wright #102, Former New Zealand representative, Llorne Howell #201, and Matthew Hart, Joey Yovich and PJ Williams themselves.

This tour is an opportunity to educate the players about the traditional values of cricket and the ethos of Seddon Cricket Club. All players arrived in Christchurch in smart full number one’s uniform.

Tomorrow the team will travel to The Willows. The Willows is one of the most prestigious cricket venues in the country and is steeped in tradition and history.

They are the benchmark for all Kindred Cricket Clubs to follow. The Seddon Cricket Club really appreciate The Willows giving our young players an opportunity to play at their ground against a similar type of team to what we have selected.

Ben Dormer, you’re a legend for organising the team to train at Hagley Oval today – amazing.

Former Northern Districts representative David Kelly #196, who lives in Canterbury, will be coaching the Willows U17 team.

Seddon Cricket Club U17 Squad:

Alex Keogh (St Johns College)

Richie Gemmell (Te Aroha Collge)

Monte Roulsten (Home Schooled, Northland)

Hunter Crowe, Captain (Hauraki Plains College – BJ Watling Scholarship recipient)

Sean Gapes (John Paul College)

Henry Murchie (Otorohanga College)

Riley Parkinson (Rotorua Boys High School)

Kieran McClintock (Kaipara College)

Harry Jones (Trident High School)

Josh Laing (Whangarei Boys High School)

Baktullah Khawrin (Hillcrest High School)

Tayden Smit (St Kentigern College - BJ Watling Scholarship recipient)

Coach: Matthew Hart

Coach: Paul Williams

Manager: Darin Armstrong

Club Deputy Chairman: Joey Yovich