With just under 11 months to go before the kick-off of the 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup, the New Zealand Deaf Cricket Association (NZDCA) has announced two further training camps for team selection. These are in addition to three recent matches held at Takapuna, and also with an upcoming regional match at Blenheim.
The 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup will be staged over two weeks beginning December 28, 2009 at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park, and involves host country New Zealand competing against Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Bangladesh and current deaf cricket world champions, India. There may possibly be other entrants.
There will be two training camps staged from which the New Zealand squad will be selected in October, NZDCA Secretary, Mr Mike Coronno stated. The dates are as follows;
Wellington- Sat May 30th – Mon June 1st 2009
Auckland - Sat Oct 24th - Mon Oct 26th 2009
Participants are required to have a qualifying total hearing loss of more than 55 decibels in both ears, and be a qualifying playing member of a cricket club affiliated to NZ Cricket.
“Having the opportunity to play international cricket on your home turf is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Mr Coronno said, “especially against countries such as England and Australia who have players that have county and State representative players, respectively.”
The New Zealand Men’s deaf cricket team has participated in two previous deaf cricket World Cups, including the initial 1995 Melbourne tournament to the most recent 2005 competition held in Lucknow, India. In between these was the aborted tournament in South Africa, 2000.
For any prospective deaf or hearing-impaired cricketers who wish to find out more about NZ Deaf Cricket, or be a part of the 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup setup, please contact Neil Fellows.
For further information contact:
Mike Coronno
Secretary
New Zealand Deaf Cricket Association
Email: m.coronno@xtra.co.nz
Phone: +64 274 500 756
