Original Article: www.armidaleexpress.com.au
Safety in sport is becoming an increasingly talked about issue and a donation from McDonald’s has helped ensure our local cricketers will be protected.
Sixteen Masuri helmets fitted with Stemguards have been donated by Benita Johnson’s restaurant to the Armidale association to help out the district’s clubs.
PLAY IT SAFE: Armidale District Cricket Association president Mike Porter, Armidale McDonald’s owner Benita Johnson and the Association’s publicity officer Helen Dennis with one of the new helmets.
The Stemguards have been added on to ensure protection of the neck area of a batsman. Helmets are now compulsory at a junior level and association president Mike Porter said they are thrilled they can keep young players safe.
“It is great in lieu of what has happened in cricket in the last couple of years,” he said.
“The kids wearing helmets and it is compulsory now they all wear helmets, it has been a big boost to us and it will be a great help to a lot of the clubs.”
A decision is yet to be made on how to distribute the new helmets but it expected they won’t be rolled out until next season.
“We haven’t decided but we will wait until the new season, it is now into the finals time and most of the club have all those sorts of things in place,” Porter said.
“It is great to have the support of McDonald’s and Masuri with these helmets.
“Everything like this helps clubs financially so it really good to have their support.”
Semifinals for juniors and seniors commence this weekend.