More than 440 school children gathered in Melbourne recently to participate in a cricket gala day, and to set a new Australian cricket record.

Victorian cricket stars were involved in the day’s activities and a new Australian cricket record was set for the largest number of people playing cricket simultaneously.

Hosted by Nicky Buckley, Cricket Australia’s MILO in2CRICKET Ambassador, the event was all part of the Australian Sports Commission’s 'Play for Life ... join a sporting club' campaign which launched earlier this year. The campaign aims to get kids more active by encouraging them to join a local sporting club.

The participation record is a huge milestone for junior sports since 37 per cent of children aged between five and 14 do not participate in an organised sport.

One of the cricket stars attending the event was Victorian Bushranger David Hussey, who was excited to see so many kids playing cricket.

'It’s great to be involved today and to see a record number of young students playing cricket.'

Acting State Manager, Laura Holden, said the gala day was an example of the work being delivered through the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program, which has been very successful in building pathways to community sports through partnerships with local sporting clubs.

 'The event gave 443 children the opportunity to take part in many different cricket activities and encouraged all children to consider joining their local cricket club.'

The pilot of the MILO in2CRICKET sample program is a partnership between the Australian Sports Commission (through AASC), Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria. Sample cricket sessions have been running within the AASC program throughout Victoria in school terms 3 and 4 with the aim of linking AASC participants to local clubs and MILO in2CRICKET centres.

The AASC program recently celebrated another success with the announcement of the program being extended for a further 12 months. The Australian Government has provided $43.5 million in funding to continue the program until 31 December 2011.

For more information about the AASC program and how to find a local sporting club visit www.ausport.gov.au/aasc.