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WILL’S HERE TO STAY<br />
The <strong>Dragon</strong> joined regional and national sports<br />
journalists at Hampshire Cricket’s Media Day ahead<br />
of the new season. We spoke to Will Smith, who<br />
gave an insight to his plans for the future, what got<br />
him into cricket, and some of his greatest<br />
moments.<br />
Growing up in Luton, Bedfordshire, Will Smith<br />
revealed that it was his brother more than anyone else<br />
who inspired him to get into cricket. When his brother<br />
wanted to start playing the sport at the age of 13, he<br />
made sure the 7-year-old Will tagged along too. This<br />
passion just grew and grew. Throughout his<br />
childhood, he also enjoyed rugby as well, and it wasn’t until he broke his collar bone<br />
three times that he realised it might not be for him. Soon after, he began to play<br />
cricket as a professional.<br />
After brief spells at Bedfordshire and Nottinghamshire, Will soon signed for<br />
Durham. He stated that this was the most successful time of his career. After<br />
winning a T20 championship and getting top of the T20 division one, he then went<br />
on to captain Durham to another championship title. After a seven year spell at the<br />
team, in which he was once named player of the year, he moved to Hampshire in<br />
search of more glory.<br />
“I’ll stay for as long as they want me!” Will said, as he sheltered from the rain in his<br />
navy blue tracksuit. He added, ”I’m thirty-four now and I won’t go on forever, but I’m<br />
enjoying myself here, so I’m in no definite hurry to leave.<br />
“I’d like to win a championship with Hampshire before I leave. We have a good<br />
squad, and we are very much capable of winning in the next three years.”<br />
When he retires, he says he would like to go into coaching. “I already have various<br />
qualifications,” he finished, “and it would be a good way of helping others to live the<br />
dream.”<br />
The Trojans Rugby first XV<br />
recently won 47-20 against<br />
Bognor. Keep an eye on them<br />
as look to try and push to a top<br />
three finish!<br />
LOCAL SPORT<br />
The Saints have a big task ahead<br />
of them if they want to secure<br />
European Football next season.<br />
Some important fixtures coming<br />
up include an away match vs<br />
West Brom and a home fixture vs<br />
Man City over the next couple of<br />
weeks<br />
The U15 Hampshire girls have<br />
recently reached the ECB<br />
national finals, so be sure to<br />
check up on the result soon!
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