Australian cricket icon, Sir Donald Bradman, has inspired generations of young cricketers – and his batting prowess will now educate students as part of Cricket Australia’s Cricket Smart curriculum.
The new unit Bradman by the Numbers, was launched by former Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable John Howard OM, AC and former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (with his son Zac) at The Bradman Museum in Bowral, NSW, today, on the eve of Bradman’s birthday.
Cricket Smart is a free teaching resource aligned to the Australian school curriculum containing fun, creative, engaging lessons that leverage the game of cricket to drive learning. To find out more or sign up visit cricketsmart.cricket.com.au.
The units align to the Australian school curriculum and range from Year 4 to Year 10, incorporating key learning areas including: Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Design & Technology and Health & Physical Education.
The program was first launched by Australian coach Darren Lehmann in July 2014, based around the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and since its inception more than 4000 teachers have registered, providing students throughout Australia the opportunity to learn through the fun of cricket.
The Bradman by the Numbers unit is a Mathematics program for Year 8 and Year 9 students, focusing on Bradman are batting statistics, comparing Bradman’s era to the modern era, comparing equipment, and quality of bowling, pitches and tactics.
Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Game and Market Development, Andrew Ingleton, said it was an exciting educational opportunity.
“We understand the importance of education and this program is yet another avenue for cricket to make a positive contribution off the playing field, to help Australia’s next generation grow in a learning capacity,” Ingleton said.
“To be able to have an educational program based on Australia’s greatest cricketer of all-time, Sir Donald Bradman, also provides an opportunity to prolong his legacy and contribution to our sport.”
Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said:
“It’s a great idea – it’s definitely a program I would have loved to have had when I was at school,” Haddin said.
“Combining cricket with education is a great way to keep kids engaged in the classroom.”
No cricket expertise is required for the curriculum, which is designed by Brisbane-based educational organisation ITC Publications.
“Similarly to the previous eight units, teachers and students do not necessarily have to know a great deal about cricket to use the resources, as the units focus more on the people, numbers, history and science associated with the game, to create engaging and relevant resources for schools,” Director Gerard Alford said.
“The Bradman unit is no exception. The unit requires students to closely analyse the batting statistics of Sir Donald Bradman and other great batters to decide if he was the greatest batter of all time.”
“The initial feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. It gives this mathematics topic real relevance and purpose for the students whilst also being closely aligned to the Australian curriculum.”
