Mike McCarthy has championed an innovation called the Kookaburra Cup, which has given the North Shore an amazing program for kids to have fun while learning cricket. The Kookaburra Cup is known as a social family event, where kids develop their cricketing skills during a term as opposed to a full season.
Amita Weerakoon is the Director of Cricket at Takapuna Cricket Club and has seen the Kookaburra Cup blossom, both in numbers and support.
“The innovation known as the Kookaburra Cup, Friday Night junior cricket for Year 1 – 4, has been the catalyst of increased parents and senior player engagement within the club and an unparoled 300% increase in junior playing numbers, including a steady growth in female numbers,” Weerakoon stated.
Weerakoon believes that McCarthy’s greatest asset is his communication with volunteers and coaches.
“His communication skills are second to none and at Kookaburra Cup evenings, he has over 300 parents knowing exactly what to do and where to go, thanks to the individual and personalised texts Mike sends out.
“Mike also coordinate up to 35 coaches for every night and organise the Club Facebook page and uploaded over 200 photos each Friday, which parents share with their family and friends.”
McCarthy doesn’t stop at organising over 300 parents, he’s also the first to give a helping hand at whatever is required.
“Mike is a great asset to the Takapuna DCC as he also helps out with our musters, prizegivings, behind the bar and always looking for new sponsorship opportunities for the club.”
McCarthy has been instrumental in Takapuna Cricket Club boasting a record number of year five hard ball teams for youth. The system the Kookaburra Cup runs off is beneficial for all participants, from parents, coaches, and of course kids. McCarthy is quoted as saying;
“All that matters is that children are having fun while they learn, as this will naturally build their confidence and self-esteem. Having older players/teenagers they can look up to teaching them also allows children to try new things without any pressure of making mistakes. It is this philosophy which has been engrained into the workings of Friday Night Cricket and that makes it so enjoyable for children and parents.”
Mike McCarthy is the recipient of the 2015-16 Community Cricket Volunteer of the Year award. The New Zealand Cricket award acknowledges a volunteer who shows passion and commitment to cricket that exceeds expectations.
The Community Cricket Volunteer of the Year award is open to any club/school volunteer, and is designed to recognise the valuable contribution that volunteers make to cricket in the community.
