THE Shoalhaven Cricket Association is blessed to have so many wonderful and proud clubs in its ranks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
These clubs are driven by a many hardworking and dedicated volunteers.
Club officials not only have to deal with the day to day running of their own clubs but also have to fit in with the association’s needs as well.
In this part of our investigation into Shoalhaven Cricket, a club delegate expresses his view on the plight of the sport.
The view could pretty much attributed any local club in the region as they are all facing similar issues.
We did seek a response from all the local clubs and have chosen not to name the only club delegate who responded because we don’t want him to face a backlash.
Junior numbers
“Our junior numbers are steadily increasing with three sides (under 11s, 12s and 14s),” the delegate said.
“This is clearly down to our club's focus on Milo/Woolies over the past six years.
“This is the fourth year that I have personally run the pre-junior program and numbers are strong (20 this year).
“I attribute this popularity to several factors – the Big Bash on nightly during the summer holidays, the fantastic support from people in local primary schools, plus parents preferring an hour and a half program midweek over a whole Saturday morning.
“We have also taken steps to reduce costs for parents through the provision of team kits and keeping fees low.
“The government initiative to promote participation in sport by introducing the Active Sport Rebate has also encouraged people to try a new leisure activity.”
Keeping the juniors
“Our club recognised the importance of juniors to the long term success of a club,” the delegate said.
“We are positive that a number of this year's under 14s will be keen to play seniors next year and enjoy the experience.
“An obvious problem for our club currently at senior level is the shortfall of juniors transitioning into the senior ranks over the past three years.
Pressure from the grade structure
“Another issue for us and several other clubs was the SDCA ruling that clubs had to nominate teams from first grade down,” he said.
“The rationale is logical as a competition must have a strong first grade but there are players who are competent but not interested in playing at a highly competitive level, who then walk away from the game.
“Finding a middle ground is not easy – you must maintain a high standard yet an association cannot afford to bleed players.”
Managing life’s balancing act
“In addition, many senior players struggle to balance work, family and sporting commitments. With the current structure that includes T20 matches on Friday nights and Sundays, many players cannot afford to devote such a significant portion of their leisure time to cricket,” he said.
“The clearest indicator is the low numbers of guys in their 20s playing grade cricket and the relatively large numbers of older gents playing.
“The standard of grade cricket has dropped substantially in the past five years.
“This same issue affects many talented junior players, who have had up to six years of playing juniors on a Saturday morning, seniors in the afternoon and rep cricket on Sundays.
Throw in club and rep training plus SDJCA winter programs and Cricket NSW Academies and it’s easy to understand why guys in their late teens and early twenties are taking a break.”
Player poaching
“On a personal level, I am extremely frustrated by the way some clubs in the area treat local cricket as the IPL or NRL, where players are approached to play for other clubs,” he said.
“This is extremely frustrating when your club and many volunteers spent hours developing juniors who then go off to play at other clubs.
“Our mantra is 'local guys playing for the local club' but disappointingly, the lure of quick success elsewhere is more enticing than being part of a bigger project.”
Thanks to the volunteers
“We are blessed to have many volunteers who dedicate their time to assist in a variety of ways. We have a good sized committee and a committed group of junior coaches who are working to ensure that the club continues to function effectively into the future.
“The problem is that there are so many demands from ensuring that match and player scores are entered in MyCricket to enticing parents to learn the new stage rules introduced by CA and score on game day.”
Not having an under 16s
“In regards to the under 16 competition, this is difficult – society has changed so much in the last 15 years,” he said.
“There has been a definite shift where people are more inclined to do their own thing when they want rather than commit to a full season.
“A major issue is the disparity between players of varying ability in the under 16s.
“The representative players dominate and it isn't much fun being smashed all over the park, chasing leather or being bowled for nothing (especially when they could be sleeping in after a week at school or out working part-time to bring in some cash).
“There is a lot of merit to fourth grade becoming a predominantly juniors with mentors to guide the youngsters.”
More sportsmanship needed
“Another factor to consider is those disillusioned with much of the rubbish that goes with cricket [on field] – at both senior and junior levels,” he said.
“What has previously been termed 'banter' often verges on abuse and there is a perceived reluctance by officials to act and a feeling among players that speaking out in the form of citations is a waste of time.
“Much easier to stop playing and not have to deal with this type of garbage.”
So we are heading to stumps on this series but we few more to go. Tomorrow Damian McGill will present his own views on the state of the sport and explains why he decided to start the series. Also we want to contact Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW and ask ‘what do you do for regional cricket?
