Northern Cricket League NCL

NCL Juniors steering committee Marlwood RyderDVCA Brian SmithDVCA Fran HurstDVCA Daniel BarnesHDCA Andrew MarksHDCA Geoff PlaceHDCA Greg HarmanNMCA Michael HaroldNMCA Danny JordanNMCA

Why the NCL? What’s good and bad about the current setup? What things could be done better under an NCL banner? What things do other competitions have that we don’t, can’t or haven’t thought of?

Current structures DVCA Friday nights ( pm) U10, U12, U14, U16? Sat morning (8.45am) U14 & U16 HDCA Friday nights (5 - 8pm) U13, U15 & U17 Wed nights (5 - 7pm) U11 NMCA Friday nights (5 - 8pm) U13, U15 & U17 Monday nights (5 - 8pm) U11

CRICKET IN THE NORTH & NORTH-EAST SEASON 2010 / 2011 Three distinct competitions Clubs play only in their competition NMCA Odd ages 17, 15, 13 & 11 DVCA Even ages 16, 14, 12 & 10 HDCA Odd ages 17, 15, 13 & 11

Benefits of new structure I - More teams makes for a wider competition platform - Not just giving a higher standard to be considered but also more playing ability levels (“a game for everyone”) - Choice and flexibility in terms of age groups and days of play

Benefits of new structure II - Stronger representative cricket with players challenged to a higher level - More competition for rep cricket ‘spots’ should lead to stronger teams - Opportunity to create a geographically based elite cricket competition whilst still allowing players to play with their mates in a local competition (4 zones as “intra-region rep”)

Benefits of new structure III -Offers the potential for stronger administration in the longer term -Wider pool of talent for coaches, team managers -More integrated approach to build strategies for junior coaching and player development

What are our basic directions? Consider: What is “Best Practice” Access for all Age groups Playing nights Rules Grading and fixturing Improving the game

Observations I What did we check out: DVCA Diamond Valley; NMCA North Metro; HDCA Heidelberg ECA Eastern MPCA Mornington Peninsula GDJCA Gisborne NWCA North West RDCA Ringwood DDCA Dandenong WRJCA Western Region MJCA Melton BHRDCA Box Hill Reporter

Observations II Competitions vary between odd and even age groups from U10 through to U19 [but no competition offers every age group] Competitions vary in their approach to grading; evidence of Division 1 being the top (‘elite’) and so on; not so clear in others… eg. U14 Blue and U14 Red

Observations III Competitions have varying rules and guidelines such as in batting and bowling limits [DVCA/HDCA/NMCA vary on these things too] Games are mostly played on Friday nights and Saturday mornings; there is some Sunday play and during the week [but no competition plays every night/day]

Observations IV Lots of evidence of competitions trying new things either by adjusting: -Rules (such as shorter pitches, lower batting limits for participation purposes) -Age groups (especially bridging comps from in2Cricket such as U9 or U10 ‘ankle-biters’ / Joeys etc

In principle recommendations That each junior cricket program from DVCA, HDCA and NMCA competitions transition to being under the NCL banner over 2 seasons In only a minor transition to take place; but that free movement can occur across the 3 associations in terms of entering teams in age groups (grading) In > full transition and integration

transition For season in DVCA, HDCA and NMCA Junior cricket, any club/team can enter a team in any of the other competition forming under NCL For one more season: – The DVCA will run its junior program – The HDCA will run its junior program – The NMCA will run its junior program

transition NCL to run a knockout competition for clubs (players 17 & Under) using HDCA model as its basis in February 2012 NCL to oversee all Under 18 (17 and 17+) cricket programs BUT DVCA U17 (need to decide on interim rule as new comp) HDCA U17 will run under its own rules NMCA U17 will run under its own rules

CRICKET IN THE NORTH & NORTH-EAST SEASON 2011 / 2012 Three NCL competitions run by each Association using their own rules Clubs can apply to enter any of their teams in any competition NMCA/NCL Odd ages 17, 15, 13 & 11 Run by NMCA + rep DVCA/NCL Even ages 16, 14, 12 & 10 Run by DVCA + rep HDCA/NCL Odd ages 17, 15, 13 & 11 Run by HDCA + rep T20 NCL U17 Comp run in Feb

In Year 1 the NCL will offer all age groups from Under 10 to Under 18 with varying/multiple playing days to all clubs Clubs will be surveyed and based on this advice the NCL will form the viable age groups and divisions of play and fixturing arrangements

CRICKET IN THE NORTH & NORTH-EAST SEASON 2012 / 2013 One NCL competition - One set of rules NCL All juniors U17 U16 U15 U14 U13 U12 U11 U10 In-2-Cricket (club-based) T20 comp Regional rep and ???

Some of the work to be done… Work on a standardised set of junior rules for the NCL Broadly assess the capability of clubs/teams to assist with the development of grading principles Transition all junior umpires to the NCL Competition to find new colours, logo…

Northern Cricket League “a game for everyone”