mmg.com.au

Local cricketers and cricket fans will head to New Zealand next month as part of the Australian Wattlesprigs 2012 New Zealand Tour.

The Australian Wattlesprigs Tours were the brainchild of the late Graham Gemmill.

Graham was a keen sportsman and played cricket for Cobram United, Yarroweyah and Strathmerton in the 1970s and 1980s.

After participating in a playing tour to England with a Shepparton group, Graham decided to bring the idea to cricketers in Cobram.

The first tour went to England in 1986. After Graham died, his sons David and Stephen took over the tours.

‘‘Dad was mad about cricket ... he really got the travel bug when he went to England in the 1980s as part of the Shepparton playing side,’’ David said.

‘‘Since Dad passed away, Stephen and I have lead four tours to England, with our Aussie side made up of local and interstate cricketers taking on English village cricket sides. It’s a great time away.’’

This year the Wattlesprigs will head off on their first trip to New Zealand.

‘‘We have 15 players and social tourists in our squad but there is still room if anyone would like to come along,’’ David said.

‘‘We’ll mainly play games in Auckland and the surrounding areas.’’

The tour will depart Australia on March 31, returning on April 13. The squad will play a total of six games, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing in New Zealand.

‘‘Some of our squad have already indicated that they are planning on going white water rafting and trout fishing, so it should be a great trip,’’ David said.

The cost of the tour is $2990 which includes airfares, accommodation, transport, and a Wattlesprigs uniform. Any standard player, official, social tourist or couples are welcome to take part.

The Australian Wattlesprigs will soon release dates and information for the 2013 Ashes Tour to England.

The tour is filling up fast and details are available at www.wattlesprigs.blog.com

For more information regarding the NZ tour, phone David Gemmill on 0439721149 or visit the blog www.nztour2012.blog.com