At the end of last season Cricket NSW’s area cricket manager gave a presentation to the NDCA Junior delegates meeting on possible future plans of cricket both within our Association and across the state. Two weeks ago the NSWDCA gave a similar presentation at their delegates meeting. Now is the time to start discussions on potential changes in competition structures for next season. The aim of this presentation is to initiate this discussion with aim of keeping the discussion going through the balance of this season to see if we can improve competition within the Association.

Overview of CNSW and NSWDCA Concepts Cricketing numbers are declining Retain children in the game by increased participation / enjoyment of the game Two tiers of competition Participation Match / Traditional

Cricketing Pathways Create a pathway for all young players in2Cricket ParticipationMatch / Traditional Junior RepresentativeDistrict Cricket Grade / Shires

Develop Young Cricketers Maximise participation through enjoyment Enjoyment of anything comes with the ability to do Maximise enjoyment through development of basic skill sets required to participate at the next level (either age group or ability) Players choose the format that suits their requirements from the game

Age Grouping  Introductory – Under 6 to Under 8  Developing – Under 9 to Under 12  Maintaining – Under 13 to Under 16

Introductory – Under 6 to Under 8 This is the current in2Cricket programs Run over 10 – 12 weeks Each session 90 minutes Can be run on a week night Introduces children to the very basic skills of the game Can be a social outing for the parents

Developing – Under 9 to Under 12 Introduction to game format cricket with no competition ladders Super 8s Quarters Cricket T20 Blast Modified Participation: 8 – 10 a side, 2 hour duration Traditional: Quarters / One-day, 2.5 hour duration, bowling / batting restrictions

Maintaining – Under 13 to Under 16 Re-enforcing the concepts learnt so far and introducing competition Participation: 9 – 10 a side 2.5 hour duration 3 comps in a season (one-day, quarters, T20) Traditional: hour duration bowling / batting restrictions for Under 13 to Under 15

Summary (so far...) Provides every cricketer the chance to play at the skill and / or enjoyment level they choose Allows for shorter formats to be played on days other than Saturday freeing up grounds and family time Should lead to greater participation ??

Observations Our Association may not have enough kids wanting to play in the traditional path – where does that leave them ?? Very few clubs have two teams in the one age group to afford players the choice between participation and traditional styles of competition 52 different clubs across the 8 age groups 10 clubs have two teams in the one age group (St Patricks – 4, Carlingford and YMCA - 2)

Alternative Suggestions The introduction of a Saturday afternoon competition for Under 13s to allow players moving to private schools the ability to continue to play club cricket with their mates Modify the Under 12 competition to include Saturday afternoon matches after Christmas to allow teams that lose players to private schools to finish the season on an even footing

Alternative Suggestions cont... Rather than splitting the competition why not improve the overall level of the competition ?? All coaches to have a Level 0 qualification All Under 9 coaches next season to have a Level 1 qualification Progress the coaching qualifications throughout the years ie. the following season all Under 9 and Under 10 coaches to have a Level 1 qualification “Coach the Coaches” sessions run by experienced coaches