Education & training of coaches, umpires & volunteers currently sits 2nd among Cricket Australia’s 6 priorities in the National Participation Strategy. Cricket NSW’s Community Cricket Dept continues to work closely with each of our stakeholders to maximise the opportunities for potential contributors to become involved.

This year education & training was again a highlight within Sydney East. Our region has again been at the forefront of this area which is largely thanks to your efforts in assisting with the organisation & promotion of these courses.

Here is some feedback for all of those involved with the organisation of education & training programs for this season:

Introduction to Cricket Course (free on-line precursor to Level 1 introduced in late 2008)

352 participants completed the course in NSW (45% of all participants across Australia)
60 participants were from Sydney East (more than in WA, SA, TAS, NT or ACT)
Note that all future Level 1 participants will be required to complete the course. However, this is a valuable aid for current coaches & any other volunteers or players from your club
The course is available at www.cricket.com.au/introductiontocricket

Level 1 Coaching Course

15 Level 1 courses have been conducted in Sydney East this year
190 new Level 1 coaches, more than twice as much as any other region in NSW
35% of all new Level 1 coaches this year were from Sydney East

Level 1 Umpires Course

A new course introduced this year which I would like to work with each association to target their specific needs
1 of 4 courses held this year were held in Sydney East
22 of 92 new Level 1 Umpires were from Sydney East

On behalf of Cricket NSW I would like to thank you all for your contributions. This ongoing focus on education & training will continue to enhance the quality of cricket & just as importantly the experience had by each young cricketer. I look forward to working on this & other areas of cricket with you again next season. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Russel Grimson

Congratulations to the St Patricks U/14 & U/16 Teams that have progressed to the Semi Finals of the Michael Clarke Twenty/20 Cup after winning their quarter finals.

• St Pats U/16’s 4/198 def Kellyville 7/125
• St Pats U/14’s 6/101 def Shore 7/83

Sunday 15th February sees the semi finals of the Michael Clarke Twenty20 Junior Club Series take place for Under 12, 14 and 16 sides. The semi finalists will be determined by February 7th when Quarter Finals in each age group have been played.

Eric Mobbs Reserve at Baulkham Hills has been chosen as the preferred venue for the 2008/09 series. The location has been chosen for its’ central location, multi pitch opportunities, with plenty of natural shade under beautiful trees surrounding each field. There will also be a full canteen service operated on the day.

The two Under 12 matches will commence at 9.00am SHARP, the Under 14s will commence at midday SHARP and the Under 16 match will commence at 3.00pm SHARP.

Official Umpires will be provided for each game, as will match balls, fruit and water for all players.

A training course for prospective umpires will be held at Cricket NSW starting at 6.30pm on Thursday 26 February.

The five session program will see Accredited Trainers presenting the Laws of Cricket to course participants on the following dates:

• 26 February
• 5 March
• 12 March
• 19 March
• 26 March

At the completion of the course, participants can choose to attempt an Examination (on 2 April), the successful completion of which will certify the participant as an Accredited Cricket Umpire. It will also enable successful candidates to apply to join the NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, the largest of its type in the world.

There are still places available in the course for anyone wishing to register. YOU would be most welcome.

To register simply contact darren.goodger@cricketnsw.com.au and a registration form will be forwarded to you in January 2009.

The completed form, along with payment, needs to be returned to the Association Office (P O Box 230, PADDINGTON, 2021) before the commencement of the course.

Participants will be issued with a copy of the latest version of the Laws of Cricket and a Cricket Umpire Training Manual.

Why not enrol for the course, and join the other 1050 accredited cricket umpires across NSW, who watch the game from the best seat in the house?

You too could join our well known members like Simon Taufel, Rodney Tucker, Gerard Abood and Terry Keel in umpiring cricket at the elite level.

The Association offers ongoing support to members with coaching on the Laws, umpiring techniques and match management to assist each member in achieving his or her goals.

Darren Goodger.
Education & Development Manager.

The Michael Clarke Twenty20 Knockout aims to encourage enjoyment, maximum participation and spectator appeal whilst allowing players to develop their cricket skills, knowledge and instinct based on the preface that Twenty20 Cricket is fast, different and can be used as an effective alternative to training.

Along with other forms of Cricket, Twenty20 will assist the growth of our game so Cricket is the ‘sport of choice’ for all Australians.

In the 2008/09 season Cricket NSW will again be running the Michael Clarke Twenty20 Competition in all age groups. Information will be sent through to Clubs and Associations as soon as the details have been finalised, with a view to inviting as many teams as possible to participate in this years’ Competition.

For further information, please contact Steve Mulally on 9339 0912 or via email at steve.mulally@cricketnsw.com.au