...with some probing questions on local cricket, his job at a full time cricket administrator, his club, and his disappointments in recent times. Not surprisingly, Ryan talks like he bats in a straightforward and no nonsense manner...
1 THE ONE QUESTION THAT KEEPS CROPPING UP ABOUT RYAN HAIRE THE CRICKETER IS WHY ARE YOU NOT IN THE IRELAND SQUAD? IT IS WIDELY FELT THAT YOU HAVE DECLARED YOURSELF UNAVAILABLE IN THE PAST, SO WHAT IS THE CURRENT POSITION?
For the record I never declared myself unavailable for any Irish Senior Squad!
I really want to contribute to Irish cricket either on or off the field of play. I have been in and out of senior squads between the ages of 18 and 25, but unfortunately not been afforded the opportunities that I would have liked since my initial entry into the squad as a 19 year-old for a couple of games. I would love to have been playing for Ireland over the last 4-5 years but the opportunities seem to drift away as overseas players attained Irish nationality status. This trend may reverse, but I am realistic and view my chances as decreasing even although I feel I have improved as a batsman.
2 WAS THERE AN ISSUE OF PUTTING CLUB BEFORE COUNTRY?
I would love to have had this quandary! Looking back I felt I was a squad member there to make up the numbers evidenced by selections and practice opportunities when I was involved. To have had the opportunity of playing for the Irish senior side over some fantastic years and playing at the highest level was something I wouldn't have turned down. Having missed out on the 2007 World Cup final squad and with no interprovincials, club cricket now gets my full focus and commitment.
3 YOUR NEW JOB INVOLVES WORKING A LOT MORE IN THE NORTH-WEST. IS THIS A CHALLENGE THAT YOU RELISH OR IS IT PART AND PARCEL OF THE JOB?
Both of course! I enjoy challenges and developing cricket in any part of Northern Ireland is certainly a challenge when you consider the rival sports which are available to our youngsters these days. I have always enjoyed the North-West and have a number of cricket friends who are currently playing at various clubs. Travelling up and down the M2 several times a week is certainly a change for me as I have previously worked locally, but I enjoy the depth of interest for the sport in the region. It has been a great experience to meet regularly with North-West cricketers and administrators, and I have particularly enjoyed watching the developments at Bready over the past six months. I look forward to helping develop North-West cricket players and working with their administrators throughout the region in the future.
4 ARE STANDARDS FAIRLY COMPARABLE IN BOTH AREAS OR IS THERE A MARKED DIFFERENCE?
I think that the dominance of Waringstown and North Down has stifled competition in NCU Section One compared to the North-West where three or four clubs regularly compete and beat each other. Both leagues are competitive, but the intensity and desire to win of the North-West players generally leads people to the assumption that by comparison, the NCU lacks similar inherent competition. Overall I feel NCU clubs have more depth down the club and higher playing standards in the lower leagues, but at the top level, I feel both leagues are very similar. However, both have one major challenge for sure, because clubs in both unions need to increase their reserves in terms of playing numbers. I am concerned to hear tales of club second elevens having to scrap games due to non-availability of players. I see this as a major challenge and it will have a high priority within the NICA strategy and my own role in terms of building a wider player base and improving cricketing standards over time.
5 YOU WORK CLOSELY IN BOTH AREAS WITH YOUTH AND GRASS-ROOTS CRICKET. DO YOU SEE ANY ADVANTAGE IN MERGING BOTH UNIONS?
No, I don't think there would be any direct advantage at this time. Both areas need to work closely together but not in competition, in order to increase the quantity and quality of youth cricketers in the province, but at senior playing level, an Ulster league (which I feel the question is leaning toward) would only impact negatively on smaller clubs, which are starting to show signs of progress. Personally I feel mergers spell weakness on the part of both parties involved. I suppose to draw comparisons it’s like axing your second ground when you are short of players instead of looking at a way of increasing your club membership. Over recent years the two unions have worked together on development plans and with the NICA Development Officers now on a full-time basis, they should be able to implement plans to broaden the traditional cricket base and reach into communities which, are not served currently by cricket clubs. There are certainly advantages in having a joint strategy for youth cricket within Northern Ireland, which are currently embodied within the NICA Development Plan 2006-9. We shall be revising our plan for Sport NI at the end of this year as our funding term ceases in March 2009, a plan which was created to develop the grassroots of the game in both unions.
QUESTIONS 6 - 10 ON PAGE 2...
