More than 100 school students have rubbed shoulders with the stars of the Melbourne Renegades Women’s team today, batting and bowling across cricket clinics as part of the Allan Labor Government’s Active Schools program.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced more than 400 schools will share in $6.7 million of funding under the Active Schools initiative which gives grants to schools that support them to help get local students get physically active.

Melbourne Renegades Women players today taught students from Roxburgh College and Nathalia Secondary College a variety of cricket skills at today’s clinics at the Junction Oval before the students settled in to watch the team’s clash with the Sydney Thunder.

The joint initiative by Cricket Victoria, Melbourne Renegades, and Active Schools encourages children especially girls, to get active while showcasing and celebrating pathways in community cricket.

The initiative includes a toolkit for school leaders and teachers, advice from expert Physical Activity Advisors and funding for schools with around 500 schools participating since Active Schools was launched in 2021.

Schools have previously used their Active Schools funding to upskill PE teachers, purchase sports and fitness equipment, implement programs such as bicycle education, circus and dance, build outdoor learning spaces, make upgrades to playgrounds, install sensory play areas and cover costs associated with sports and physical activities.

The initiative encourages students to get involved in physical activity and develop healthy lifelong habits.