Two Great Lakes junior cricketers will head off on the trip of their young lives in early July.
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Landon Blissett and Lachie Monks will be a part of a touring group to hit the 'Old Dart' from July 4.
The tour is part of a cricket coaching program run by well-regarded coach, Brendan Lyon (yes, brother of the GOAT, Nathan), through his Vikings Cricket business.
Vikings Cricket and Girls Junior Invitational are organisations devoted to providing once in a lifetime international cricket experiences.
Supported by Lyon Cricket and Sydney Cricket Coaching, the organisations extended invitations to junior cricketers to join the 2019 UK Junior Development Tour and the two local lads jumped at the opportunity.
Nambucca-based coach Tom Mann, who assists with various programs on the coast, will be joining them as the team manager.
Lachie's dad Brett, a key player in the Great Lakes Seniors, will also accompany them on the tour and is as excited as a kid in a lolly shop about the planned trip.
The tour will provide a unique development opportunity for aspiring players, with games against school, club and academy sides, training sessions at iconic cricket venues and great sightseeing experiences.
Besides playing cricket, the lads and their new team mates will get to go to the Aussie world cup game against South Africa at Old Trafford.
Playing lead-up matches both there and at Southampton, as well as visiting historic places like Stonehenge, they will then play in a five-day international junior cricket classic against other similar-aged squads.
Following that, their busy itinerary will see them visit the home of the MCC with a tour and net session at Lords.
Games against local London sides, touring the capital and then a ride on the Eurostar to Paris for more history and culture, as well as Eurodisney, will round off their whirlwind tour.
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Both boys have been outstanding representatives in a number of age groups throughout their playing days with Great Lakes Junior Cricket Club, Manning District and Mid North Coast Cricket sides.
They are committed, hard-working and keen to go further in the game.
Like other country players joining them on the trip, they will no doubt benefit immensely from the cricket, as well as the life experience the exciting adventure will bring.
The winter weather has been no hindrance to the boys and they have been working hard, with their family and local coaches supporting them, with extra indoor sessions in preparation for the trip.
Both are outstanding all-rounders - being very correct, stylish batsmen and talented wicketkeepers - while Landon loves to rip into some quick bowling and Lachie gives his leggies a rip as well.
With the Australian team doing well on the world stage, who's to say some of the touring group won't use this trip as a springboard to higher honours.
The many opportunities provided by families, coaches and clubs is certainly something to be investigated by those young boys and girls willing to work hard in schools, clubs, homes and the communities they live in.
Landon and Lachie may not dine out on local waterway products too often but there's no doubt this trip will be one they chew on for some time.
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