Schools from South Africa, India and the UK met last week on the beautiful island of Corfu to contest the 3rd international schools tournament. This annual competition aims to establish international friendships, celebrate the spirit of cricket and serve as a catalyst for the development of the game in Greece. It is the only tournament of its kind in Europe.

Cricket has been played in Corfu since 1823 when the British Navy played a game in the town square. The Corfiots' intrigue soon turned to interest and participation and the island is now the proud home of the Hellenic Cricket Federation (HCF) with a thriving local league and a number of picturesque grounds that rival any in the world for breath-taking backdrops.

The tournament provided the principal fixtures for the Greece Under 17 squad who demonstrated their progress by qualifying for the semi finals for the first time under the astute captaincy of highly talented keeper-batsman Spiros Bogdos, who is due to continue his cricketing education at Loughborough University. It also featured a Greek academy side, two Pakistani teams from Athens and a technical college from Bulgaria. The tournament was won by Johannesburg Cricket Club, an inner city team consisting of players from poor and disadvantaged communities. The South African ambassador to Greece, Mr Makgetla, a freedom fighter alongside Mandela, witnessed their victory.

The tournament is the showpiece event of the Greek cricket season with much interest from the local press and political patrons in the form of the Governor of the Island and the Mayor of Corfu Town. Cricket tourism is booming on the island that has established itself as an exotic, affordable destination for a cricket tour. A number of English clubs are touring this summer.

The HCF twin all teams with a local primary school to promote cultural and cricketing exchange. This provides a legacy for the event and introduces young children to the cricketing heritage of the island. It also provided the fixtures with an excitable, animated crowd. It is hoped that the children will be inspired to take up the game and emulate their partner school.

The federation have experience of hosting tournaments and last year witnessed one of the most remarkable cricketing feats of the modern era when Spain's Tariq Ali smashed two colossal T20 hundreds in a day at European Division 2. That match was staged at the Messonghi Beach Hotel Ground, the leg-side boundary of which provides ample opportunity to smash a hotel room window. The third ground used is located at the Marina, providing a refreshing breeze and a sea of masts stretching out to the distance behind the bowlers arm. The grounds would benefit from greater maintenance, facilities and investment but are nevertheless an inspiring place to play.

Greece is a pilot country for the Street20 format, a short, simple, play anywhere form of Kwik cricket designed to increase participation levels. This has been introduced to schools on the island and is being launched in Thessaloniki. The federation hope this will establish cricket on the mainland. This initiative has ben launched in the context of a 90% reduction in government funding for the sport, necessitated by the economic crisis in Greece. However, spirits remain high and the Hellas squad contains several players of genuine promise. Experienced coach Peter Brett, consultant coach for Norway at European division 1 this summer and tutor to local, aspiring coaches, led some sessions that were gratefully received.

Bulgaria is one of the newest ICC members and their cricketing journey has only just begun. This was their third year of participation and they showed signs of progress, though the experience of the other teams proved too much for them. Their senior side will now prepare for the Balkan championships in late May. The tournament has previously featured Under 17 teams from Qatar and Cyprus. Greece has been instrumental in developing cricket in the region and Corfu will play host to Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia in the summer. They also plan to invite the Russian team in the near future.

Cricket in Greece would certainly benefit from more grounds, practice facilities and an established schedule of youth tournaments. But the enthusiasm is certainly there and if cricket tourism can help raise profile and attract sponsorship then the future looks bright. Establishing cricket on the mainland remains the long term objective. The federation acknowledge this will be difficult with the financial constraints they face, but Street20 is making inroads.

The federation intend to increase the tournament to 16 teams next year and are seeking participation from schools across Europe. Further information can be found at www.cricketingreece.com