CHILDREN learned to combine fair play with Fairtrade in the first of an innovative series of sports sessions.

The Fairtrade Cricket Clinic, the brainchild of Enfield-based company Africa React UK, was held at Southgate Adelaide Cricket Club's Walker Ground.

A team of under-11s satisfied the appetites they had worked up from an intensive cricketing session with fairtrade fruit bars, juice and fresh fruit and heard talks from local activists.

They were joined by London Assembly member Joanne McCartney and representatives from other cricket clubs.

Bill Linton, co-ordinator of the Enfield Fairtrade Campaign, delivered a talk on the movement, which holds that farmers in developing countries should get a fair price for their produce.

The Enfield Fairtrade Campaign was formed by the Enfield Civil Society Forum, an informal body made up from community and faith groups.

Quentin Beningfield, founder director of Africa React UK and a former professional cricket and hockey development coach, also gave a talk encouraging young people to get involved.

He said: "Sport bridges gaps in broader society, especially where children are involved.

"Learning about winning and losing and developing camaraderie and pride are all vital elements in the process of participation in sport and self-development."

The move comes five months after Enfield Council gained Fairtrade status, which means it met the Fairtrade Foundation's five goals, which include at least two Fairtrade products being readily available in many shops. Other clubs in the borough are now discussing adopting the clinics.

Africa React UK is an international development agency, working in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, teaching skills to communities and trying to reduce poverty in the area.

More clinics are planned.

l For more information visit africareactuk.org; southgateadelaide.play-cricket.com; fairtradeenfield.btik.com or contact info@africareactuk.org