Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Prue Catton is one of Smash Play’s Youth Ambassadors – featuring in a range of training games and other engaging content for rangatahi.
Prue has established herself as one to watch in Aotearoa’s domestic cricket scene, after debuting as a teenager for the Auckland Hearts in the 2021-22 season and captaining the side in just her second professional season.
Thus far in her young career, Prue has represented the Hearts, New Zealand U19, and a NZ Women’s Development XI.
Away from cricket, Prue has a love for football – spending her time scoring goals for Ellerslie AFC and coaching at her alma mater, Baradene College.
Adding to her busy schedule, Prue studies Chemical Engineering at the University of Auckland.
Hear from Prue as she explains the Smash Play programme through her eyes!
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What do you love about Smash Play youth – rangatahi?
I love how Smash Play youth – rangatahi promotes exciting and fast paced cricket whilst improving your skills.
It maintains key principles of cricket – where teamwork and friendly competition are at the center but makes cricket more engaging and accessible for everyone.
The skill challenges and modified formats cater to a variety of people whether you want to challenge your mates, learn new skills or play cricket type games.
What games or challenges do you recommend from the programme?
I enjoy all the Level Up Challenges as you can easily play these by yourself, with friends or with a team at training. They are super accessible and a great way to improve skills.
I also recommend ‘Smash Fives’ as it is a fast paced game where all cricket skills are used. Everyone is involved in the game making it more exciting for all players. The game is full of action and super fun!
What is your advice to coaches of youth cricketers, and secondary school teachers?
I would encourage both youth coaches and teachers to use smash play youth games. It’s a great way to upskill as a coach whilst using new and fun games at trainings to keep the team engaged and learning.
The Training Games and Modified Formats are also a really good way to incorporate cricket into a PE class or school activities, with all the resources available at the Smash Play website. These games have been designed to teach skills in an engaging and inclusive ways, allowing all athletes to be involved and enjoy each game.
Check out the range of training games, modified formats and youth ambassador content by visiting www.smashplay.nz.
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
