After extensive consultation with players, parents, clubs and Cricket NSW, Dubbo Junior Cricket Association has made some exciting changes to the way the game will be played in the new season starting in October.
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Their aim is to find the next Trent Copeland or Tim Armstrong from the Western Zone nursery of junior players.
Copeland is currently playing for Australian in his first Test series against Sri Lanka and is a product of Bathurst cricket; while Dubbo's Armstrong will play in the new 20/20 series as well as continue his role with NSW and Eastern Suburbs.
The major change for Dubbo is for the opportunity for children under the age of 10 to play cricket midweek.
This has come from feedback that Saturday mornings is not a viable option for everyone and people would like to have other alternatives.
For children aged 5-7, the very popular Milo In2CRICKET program will now be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as the traditional Saturday mornings.
This program is an introductory program run for an hour and teaches children the skills of cricket through games and all participants receive a heap of giveaways. It is designed to ensure maximum participation and enjoyment.
For children aged 8 and 9, their games have been moved to Thursday nights, starting around 5pm to beat the afternoon heat.
This allows parents to do any night shopping knowing their children will be cared for in a safe environment as well as enjoying the game of cricket.
This move has been designed to free up weekends for families to enjoy other summer time activities.
The older age groups have not been forgotten in these changes.
For children aged 12-14, quarters cricket has been introduced to ensure players will get the opportunity to bat or bowl every week.
This format is similar to the Ryobi Cup one-day competition that was played at state level last season.
Under these rules, each team’s innings is split in half to ensure that everyone gets to participate every week.
In all age groups this season, all players will have the opportunity to bat or bowl every week.
No more sitting down all morning waiting for a go.
There will be plenty of opportunities to participate whether with the bat or ball.
It is also very important to know that cricket is not an all- day experience, rather just a maximum of 3 hours on a Saturday morning.
In the under-14s and 16s, a T20 midweek competition has been introduced called the Weetbix Cup.
Again, this competition is to ensure participation with players guaranteed to either bat or bowl every game.
This competition has been designed to be played during training sessions to offer variety throughout the season. Very shortly, the players the trophies will be named after will be announced and is very exciting.
