Howzat Hellenic style

Iosif Nikitas' passion for cricket started when he was seven years old. Like many Corfiots, Iosef grew up with the game that was and still is, a way of life on Corfu.

The first game of cricket played in Greece was in the 'Kastropolis' of Corfu town, when British Navy sailors set up stumps there in 1823.

After seeing the eccentric Englishmen at play, the Corfiots took the game to their hearts and it thrived on the island ever since.

Iosef has been a member of Corfu's Gymastikos Cricket Club (established in 1893) for most of his life and he captained the Greek national team, which has been in existence since the federation's creation in 1996.

He used to bat at number four and bowl leg-spin and still plays the odd friendly.

Today, as President of the Hellenic Cricket Federation, Iosif shares his passion by taking the game to the rest of Greece and pushing forward the development of the national team.
As we spoke on one of his regular visits to Athens, it's clear that creating awareness at the grass-roots level, where he himself found the game, is a priority.

"It's very important that we start with the young people. We teach the teachers about, the game, kwik cricket and indoor cricket. We have to buy the equipment from the UK for the kids to use and then we give it the interested schools for free."

As Iosef decribes the work the Federation undertakes with schools across Greece, one can't help but think there's a tremendous sponsorship and marketing opportunity to be realised. A Milo approach to kids cricket in Greece by some enterprising visionary Australian business might do very well here.

Whilst cricket is a way of life in Corfu (children who show an interest can join any of the 13 local clubs on the island), in the rest of the country where sporting culture is defined by soccer and basketball, awareness of the game is more limited, but on the increase. Seven clubs are accredited to the Greek Federation.

One of the most recently established is Athens Cricket Club. Nick Geronimos co-founder of ACC (the Owls), says the game is ideally suited to the Greek temperament.

"Lots of strategy, lots of discussion, but not too stressful except when absolutely necessary."
Geronimos is keen to point out that Greek Australians are playing a big part in developing the game in Greece, and any support from Australian cricketing bodies would be "appropriate and hugely helpful."

Last year, Greece's national team came top of the European League Division 5, which involved victories over Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden, and Turkey.

That means Greece now move up to Division 4, comprising Austria, Finland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

Winning Division 4 would mean Greece is eligible for associate membership of the International Cricket Council, which would open more opportunities for moving Greek cricket forward, so there's all to play for.

Eligibility for the national team is dependent on a player's residence in Greece for a minimum of three months, and the Federation is keen to attract players from Australia for coaching and playing. The current weakness in the national squad, Iosif admits, is in the batting.

"We need a strong opener or number 3 or 4, a 'Ricky Ponting' to secure the innings."

With the federation keen for the national team to play down-under next summer, Iosif wants to contact teams and individuals in Australia that can help make it happen.