After the successful trial of new junior formats last season, the Singleton District Junior Cricket Association (SDJCA) is looking forward to doing it all again.
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The 2017/18 season commences on Friday, October 13 (after the school holidays) and online registrations have been extended until midnight Thursday. Returning secretary, Belinda Stafa says they hope to get enough registrations to field four teams in each age group – U12, U14 and U16. However, they have had a number of inquiries about how the age groups work.
“We would like to reminder parents that all players will be placed in the age group appropriate based on age at September, 1,” she explains. “Once again the Milo programs of in2cricket and t20 blast will run on a Monday afternoon at Cook Park.” The introduction of new junior formats through a series of pilot programs across the nation last season was an outstanding success by all measures, with the game adapted to the physical capabilities of children. And, the SDJCA was at the forefront of the trial which proved conclusively that it made cricket more accessible and enjoyable.
Neil McDonald, a member of the Cricket Australia project team supporting the implementation, says the result is that children learn the skills faster and develop greater confidence and passion for the game. “Children in Stage 1 and 2 levels play games on a shorter pitch to suit their size and physical capabilities, with shorter boundaries and fewer fielders to increase on-field activity. Everyone has an opportunity to bat, each player bowls and games are finished in two hours,” he says.
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