Wollongong president calls for plan to grow junior cricket numbers

While overall teams increased last year, it is feared COVID-19 will trigger a drop in registrations this summer.

The makeup of the upcoming season remains in flux, with concerns over the proposed formats implemented by Cricket NSW.

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The new formats see teams play in stages, with age groups of under 13s, under 15s and under 17s. The under 17s play 40-over games rather than the traditional two-innings, 50-over structure that was played in the old under 16s competition.

That is the age group that has caused concern for Cricket Illawarra, with teams declining from 15 to nine after the introduction of the new playing conditions. As a result, some clubs are hoping to return to the old setup this summer.

Such a move poses a risk, with the governing body ruling players ineligible for representative selection if they are not playing Cricket NSW-approved formats.

Cricket Illawarra are hopeful of working with head office to come up with a solution, with a proposal sent to Cricket NSW on Friday. The two groups have had a frosty relationship in recent times.

Maher's preference is for a return to the previous format, however he feels the debate around playing conditions is tinkering around the edges.

"We're not having the conversation about what we're doing to grow the game," Maher said.

"The community cricket School's Cup program has been cancelled because of COVID, so now we need to know what's going to replace that and how we're going to get to these kids. There's always been an issue of communication between Cricket NSW and the association, so that's not helping.

"We also have so much talk about rep programs, which are important, but what we need first is that strong core structure. Once we get that, the rep programs fall into place."

Numerous clubs, including Wollongong, have worked hard in recent years to build junior programs from the ground up.

Many of those teams are starting to see the benefits of that hard work, with Balgownie to field a team in the under 17s competition for the first time in more than a decade.

With the recognition first grade success is unsustainable without junior players moving through, Paul Lynam has spent the past five years building player numbers.

While much of his work has focused purely on Balgownie, Lynam feels the clubs are working well to grow the game.

"There's a good, healthy working relationship among all the junior coordinators," Lynam said. "Glenn Bridge does a fantastic job promoting all the clubs.

"There's good healthy assistance among the clubs. Everybody is aware of the difficulties in getting kids involved in junior cricket, the time it takes up, the commitment for parents. All the clubs work together to make sure we get the maximum number of kids on the park."

The junior season is currently scheduled to commence on Saturday October 17. Clubs are currently seeking boys and girls of all experience and skill levels ranging from under 11s up to under 17s.

Standalone girls competitions will be played in the udner 13, under 15 and under 17 age groups.

Clubs will also be running Blast programs for children younger than 11 years old. Further information can be found at https://www.playcricket.com.au/.