SCHOOL children across the Dubbo region will again have the chance to get closer than ever to their favourite Sydney Thunder players as part of the Thunder Local Hero Program.

The program gives Dubbo schools the opportunity to adopt a Sydney Thunder player for the summer and be part of the Thunder Nation for BBL05 starting in term 4.

The Local Hero concept is open to primary schools across NSW and the ACT and is a free initiative which aims to engage school children in stages 3 and 4.

Primary and secondary schools can register for the program, which has allowed 40,000 students to directly talk to their Local Hero through email, Skype and letters.

Captain Michael Hussey, along with Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Gurinder Sandhu, Pat Cummins, Aiden Blizzard and their Sydney Thunder team-mates, will be adopted by schools as part of the program.

Star Sydney Thunder batsman Aiden Blizzard visited the BBL04 winners Burrabadine Christian School this week and said the program provides a great opportunity for the players to give back to the club's youngest supporters.

"Giving back to the community is something I'm very passionate about," said Blizzard.

"I grew up in the country so the access I had to elite-level cricketers was quite minimal, so to be able to go out there and see these kids, I can just imagine if I was in their shoes it would've made my day."

The big-hitting Thunder batsman says the Thunder Local Hero Program provides a humbling experience for his team.

"Getting to grassroots and getting out to the community is something I've really enjoyed in the past and something that blew me away going to the primary school this week," said Blizzard

For details on the program head to www.sydneythunder.com.au/localhero.