YOUNG cricketers in Samoa are set to a benefit from a Bendigo-led initiative to provide them with much-needed gear and equipment.
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A donation drive was kicked off on Tuesday by long-time Bendigo cricket sponsor David Bicknell, from Intersport Bicknells, who handed over a supply of senior and junior Bendigo United Cricket Club training tops to the team contesting the ICC World Cricket League Qualifier East Asia-Pacific.
It followed an approach for help from Samoan coach Tim Carter for the supply of eight pairs of spikes to aid his players, some of whom are playing on turf wickets for the first time in Bendigo.
"It was a chance of meeting of sorts .... we went for a walk (in Bendigo) on Friday and ran into the store and they had everything we needed," Carter said.
"Things have rolled from there."
Carter, an assistant coach with the Western Suburbs District Club in NSW, said funding for Samoa's five local cricket teams, who play on hard wickets, was scarce.
It is hoped the drive will provide essential cricket equipment to develop a sport that plays second fiddle to rugby in Samoa, but is quickly gaining in popularity.
The training tops were Bicknell's second contribution to the Samoan team, after organising a supply of drink bottles for the team last Saturday.
He hoped Bendigo's cricket community would rally around the friendly Samoans with suitable donations.
"There's not a lot of monetary support around Samoan cricket nor a lot of funds to bring through the younger players," Bicknell said.
"They are seeking cricket equipment, so hopefully we can get people in Bendigo with cricket gear they aren't using any more to drop it into the shop and we’ll collect it.
"We'll then organise for it to be shipped overseas."
Meanwhile, Carter said the Samoans, whose ranks include three-overseas players led by their Auckland-based captain Ben Mailata, were relishing their involvement in Bendigo.
The team won their tournament opener against Japan on Sunday, but went down to favourites Fiji on Monday.
Samoa boasts a nice blend of experienced and younger hands, with 17-year-old Solofuti Uatisone Fab the team's youngest player.
Carter hoped the championships were a stepping stone for his players to one day play across the world and believe a few already showed potential.
The Samoans play Vanuatu on Wednesday, the Philippines Thursday and Indonesia on Saturday.
"We were very disappointed with our loss on Monday, potentially we could have set up a great match with Vanuatu," he said.
For those interested in making donations, Intersport Bicknells is located at 44-46 Williamson Street, Bendigo.