Big-hitting England star Craig Kieswetter gave schoolchildren in Bridgwater a morning to remember recently when he joined them for a special assembly and coaching session.

Alongside coaches from Wembdon Cricket Club, Kieswetter inspired youngsters from Wembdon St George’s Primary School with a special interactive assembly designed to increase children’s understanding of the importance of playing fair.

Using a video-based MCC Spirit of Cricket assembly created as part of a partnership with Chance to Shine, children discussed the meaning of ‘rivalry’ to fit in the Ashes series later this summer.

Children were taught about respecting opposition, team-mates and officials, whilst being encouraged to play hard but play fair. The assembly culminated in a competition to win ‘the Ashes’, a replica Ashes urn supplied by MCC that the school will keep and continue to use as a prize for cricket matches and competitions throughout the summer.

Following the assembly, a class of lucky youngsters took part in a coaching session with Kieswetter, with the focus on wicket-keeping. Wembdon St George’s Primary School is one of 93 schools in Somerset that are part of the Chance to Shine project that aims to link cricket clubs with nearby state schools.

Craig Kieswetter said: “I really enjoyed the MCC Spirit of Cricket assembly. It was interactive and the kids really engaged with the topic and asked some great questions. The kids competed for an Ashes trophy and it’s great that the school get to keep this and can run more competitions. For me, learning to compete to win is an important life session, it helps you to understand how to win and lose.” Andy Fairbairn, Cricket Development Manager from Somerset Cricket Board said: “‘Wembdon Cricket Club have built up fantastic links with Wembdon St George’s Primary School and to have Craig Kieswetter launching the 2013 Chance to Shine project at the school was a fantastic start to a very busy summer of schools coaching.

We have 18 clubs in Somerset delivering cricket in 74 primary and 19 secondary schools thanks to Chance to Shine support. Later in the summer we are also hosting a schools day at The County Ground, Taunton so that school children and their teachers who have been enthused by the Chance to Shine programme get the opportunity to watch a First Class game and interact with Somerset professional players.”

Wembdon Cricket Club runs weekly sessions throughout the summer.

Girls - Mondays: Age 6 to 13 - from 5pm - 6pm Age 13+ - from 6pm - 7pm

Boys – Tuesdays: Age 6 to 11 - from 5pm - 6.30pm Age 12 to 15 - from 6.30pm - 8pm

For more details on Somerset County Cricket Club visit there website www.somersetcountycc.co.uk