CA launches Sporting Schools program

There'll be more bats and balls alongside books in schools as Cricket Australia (CA) today launched the Sporting Schools Cricket Program in conjunction with the Australian government.

The $100 million Federal Government investment would see more than 5,700 schools funded to integrate cricket – among other sports – into primary schools across the country.

Australian players Steve Smith, David Warner, Alyssa Healy and Gurinder Sandhu were on hand to help officially open the program in Sydney's East.

Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley said the Sporting Schools program would aim to encourage more children to become active in sports at a young age.

"We know it's vitally important that we help children right across Australia develop healthy and active lifestyles early in life," Ms Ley said.

"This investment will help bring schools and sports together to provide a supportive environment that encourages participation for more than 850,000 Australian children."

The program comes on the back of statistics that only 50 per cent of children participate in organised sport, despite more than 400,000 kids taking part in cricket programs in 2014.

Under the program, schools would be able to apply for grants to pay for professional coaches or train their own teachers as coaches.

CA's Senior Manager of Market Development Matt Dwyer said the program offered the opportunity for cricket to form a long-lasting legacy with children.

"Sporting Schools brings schools and sports together to deliver quality sporting programs and inspire primary school students to develop a lifelong interest in sport," Mr Dwyer said.

"We look forward to the official program launching in Term 3 and bringing cricket to as many Australian kids as possible.

"The program builds on the principles of our junior programs MILO in2CRICKET and MILOT20 Blast, which have effectively engaged Australian children in cricket for in excess of 20 years."