There is excitement in the air for many young cricket fans throughout the Bay of Plenty, as the BOPCA Festival Day series kicks off in November at four regional locations.

The Festival Day events were initiated by Bay of Plenty Cricket in 2004 with the Mini World Cup, which introduces year five and six school pupils to the enjoyment of the game.

Festival events will be run in all four Bay minor (cricket associations this season and will begin at Boord Park in Rotorua next Tuesday, with the Rotorua Carnival of Cricket.

November brings a busy time for Bay of Plenty Cricket, with Festival Days being played in the Western Bay of Plenty and Taupo on November 8 and 9, respectively. The BOPCA Festival Day series wraps up for the current season, at Rex Morpeth Park in Whakatane on Wednesday November 22.

Bay of Plenty Cricket views the regional Festival Day initiatives as an important part of its recruitment strategy, which build on its in-school promotional visits and the New Zealand Cricket suite of Superstar player programmes.

Bay of Plenty Cricket manager Tai Bridgman-Raison says for many, the festival days are their first taste of cricket.

'So we want to make sure it is an enjoyable experience. The focus is very much on fun and participation, which is why it is eight a-side and the rules are modified so everyone is involved. The prizes and giveaways always go down well too.”

BOPCA Festival Day Series 2017 – 9.30am start

November 7 Rotorua @ Boord Park

November 8 Western Bay of Plenty @ Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

November 9 Taupo @ Owen Delaney Park

November 22 Eastern Bay of Plenty @ Rex Morpeth Park