Saturday’s strong turnout was backed up on Tuesday when former Sydney first grade cricketer Graeme Smith took the students of Cooma North, Cooma Public, and St Patrick’s primary schools through a NSW Cricket Super 8’s clinic.

Local cricket identity Mike Introna said the idea of the day was to promote junior cricket before the season got into full swing.

“Cricket keeps children active and outdoors. It gives them a chance to be involved in a team sport in a social environment,” he said.

Introna said Smith equipped the students with a number of basic skills.

“They looked at hand eye coordination, spatial awareness and a range of cricket skills,” he said.

Introna said the students were also taught to posses the right attitude on the day.

“It was a non-competitive day with the message that winning isn’t everything,” he said.

The Monaro currently has both men’s and boys’ cricket sides but does not have a women’s or girls team. Introna said he hoped the Super 8 day encouraged more girls to play the game.

“Hopefully it would spark an interest and get more girls playing the game,” he said.

Super 8 facilitator Graeme Smith said there are more opportunities for girls to play cricket then there was in the past.

“Canberra now has a team in the national women’s cricket competition and they are doing well so hopefully some of these kids will pop up in that side one day,” he said.

Smith said it was good to see so many kids playing cricket for the first time. He was pleased to hear of the success of Saturday Milo cricket.

“Lisa Phillips who is running it is doing a fantastic job. She is providing a great introduction into the game,” he said.

There is Milo cricket on Saturday mornings for five to nine year olds and an under 12’s comp for both boys and girls on Monday nights.