The year 2007 is now history and as we venture into the year 2008 Ireland's exploits in the Caribbean will become a distant if unforgettable memory, and North Down will be 151 years young. But will the new year be much of the same or can we expect something a little bit special in 2008?
Over the last few years there's been no shortage of union-knocking but have we not reached the stage when we should stop saying what can our union do for us and start saying what can we do for our union?
Remember the union is the public face of your sport and it is only as good as the clubs themselves. Every club elects the union officers and every rule is decided at the Annual General Meeting. Surely the time has come for the strong to stand up and be counted and for the major players to look at the bigger picture and get behind the wheel and not in front of it?
I'm not a big fan of New Year resolutions but I do make and break them. They may not change our lives but they do help us focus and at least identify things that need to be addressed. We can't allocate New Year resolutions to local cricketers but if I had a cricket wish list for 2008 it would be;
1 To see every club put forward an umpire to get through the current shortage that could seriously affect the integrity of the game...
2 To see players show more respect for each other. Cut out the theatricals, the sledging, the bad sportsmanship and the sulking. Extend the hand of friendship before, during and after the game...
3 More spectators at club matches. The numbers are dwindling and the clubs themselves have to come up with innovative ways of attracting more local support...
4 The Irish Cricket Union get its marketing right and make more of the opportunity that sits agonizingly on the table...
5 The overseas pros brought back into the NCU Senior Challenge Cup and the bowl-out kicked out. The competition is dying on its feet and needs a serious injection of interest and what incentive is there for a minnow to play a game when a bowl-out is a better option?
6 A northern team win the Irish Senior Cup! Just any old North-West or NCU team. I'm sick of all the Leinster crowing...
7 The revival of the NCU versus North-West interpro' fixture with a substantial cash prize at stake to make it competitive...
8 Waringstown and North Down kiss and wake up! Life is too short...
9 All clubs sign a pledge that the decision of the union is final and that they have no legal redress. It's local cricket and not the United Nations so let's bring some sanity back into the way the game is administered. The Barbados Cricket Association did it a few years ago and it worked...
10 A dry summer!
A Happy and peaceful New Year to everyone.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
