World Cup football fever has Germany firmly in its grip but a new trend is spreading through the youth of this nation. You are now just as likely to hear the thwock of leather on willow in the parks on a weekend as the biff of boot on ball. The magical attraction of cricket is slowly gaining ground.

The Pedagogium in Schwerin has become the first school in Eastern Germany to incorporate cricket into its sports syllabus. Membership is so high that they have also established their own all-girls team, who will participate in the North Germany Youth League later this season.

VfB Oldenburg have also established their first all-girls team. Thanks to equipment from the ECC Development Award, the Oldenburg children have now progressed from Kwik cricket to training with a leather ball. This young team had the unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of 6,500 spectators last Sunday at the Marschweg Stadium. They had immense fun playing an exhibition game during the Oldenburg vs Bückeburg match as guests of the Northwest Times newspaper. Coach Carsten Höfinghoff was invited explain the game over the stadium PA.

The first North Rhine mini Youth Tournament will be held on June 10th where young cricketers from the Rösrath and St. George's schools will also have the chance to meet and play against local club and State players.