6 Is there a place in the modern game for the old Senior and Junior committees or have they gone forever?
I have to be careful what I say here because it is purely a personal opinion. Not all clubs are looking for the same thing. We have a number of clubs run on very professional lines that want to compete at the highest level. There are others who are less professional in outlook that want to be involved in a more recreational version of the game. The challenge is for theUnion to provide for the aspirations of all its clubs. I think we have made a start on accommodating this in the Development Plan but there is still a lot of work to be done.
I do however believe that the way ahead must be with a unified union – I can’t really see us going back to what was in effect two unions.
7 The impetus generated by Cricket World Cup became a damp squib last summer and the NCU area was blamed for a lack of support for the Ireland matches. Was it right for the NCU to have club games on the days when Ireland was playing in the NCU area?
I think the only occasion that happened on a Saturday was in the Ireland - India - South Africa series.
The price of the tickets for that series was such that the majority of our cricketers were only going to buy one or two tickets out of the five matches. In my view there was no need to close the Saturday as NCU cricketers had other opportunities to watch some of the games in the series.
Ireland play so often now that it is simply not possible to close all Sundays when they are in the NCU area. The current size of our senior leagues allows little scope for international or inter-regional games. I believe this is something the ICU must address with the provincial unions.
8 The NCU dinner has gone down in status and support in recent years and the NCU Senior Challenge Cup final has been poorly attended in recent times. Can the General Secretary do anything to rectify these negative trends?
Certainly less people attend the annual dinner now but it is still the biggest cricket dinner on the island. We strive for an occasion at which we can entertain our sponsors and at the same time make it possible for a 4th XI to attend and pick up their trophy. It’s not easy, but the Executive/Board constantly review venues/prices/guest speakers etc to make it an as attractive occasion as possible.
The first of the Senior Challenge Cup Finals under the three-year ‘one-day’ trial produced the biggest ‘gate’ for several years. I think that the Union, in conjunction with the host club, must work harder to make the day more attractive for spectators in terms of what we offer. I know people want and expect more now than a seat on the boundary – they want to be able to purchase food and drink and have a complete day out. We have a duty to address this.
9 If you had a magic wand what changes would you like to see happening quickly within NCU cricket?
Better behaviour on the field and better rapport amongst the clubs and between the clubs and the union. This is our sport and we should all be enjoying it, not constantly beating each other up in word and print.
10 Finally Bryan , your appointment has been warmly received from all quarters but once the honeymoon period is over you will inevitably be in the middle of some controversy that was not your own doing. Has the Union 's "Mr. Nice Guy" got a steel resolve to stand up to the knockers when they arrive?
At my interview for the position I made a number of references to my ‘day job’ as a trade union negotiator. Those who know me from that including many senior civil servants would testify to a ‘steel resolve’.
I have been around a few corners in my time, including local politics, and as I have said trade unionism, which I hope has given me the ability to look after myself when necessary.
Yes, there will be controversy, but someone from the other side of the negotiating table who I respected greatly, said to me a while ago; ‘Bryan, there will be no issue we cannot resolve if we are both prepared to try and do so’.
When the controversies come to our table let us all approach them in that spirit – seeking how to resolve them, rather than prolonging them.
Well spoken Bryan !
Good luck in your new position and thank you for being so frank and honest in your opinions.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
