Come Sunday morning we are into the year 2012 and everything that happened in the past 12 months will be an archive. For some people the transition will be seamless, another day, another year, and life moves on much the same. But for others it has special meaning and focus and it may involve some life-changing decisions and personal goals to motivate and stimulate. These will embrace personal, business, career, social and sporting matters, and in many cases may lead to a better quality of life. Goals drive ambition and bring success.
Broken resolutions have always been part and parcel of January, so I’ve reached the stage of a “Wish List” and when it comes to cricket I’ve got plenty to hope and pray for.
…I’d like to see another Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup success from a northern club. Waringstown laid our bogey to rest in 2011 so there’s every reason to feel we can move forward with confidence and another win.
…I’d like to see zero tolerance for dissent on a cricket field. It boils down to respect for the game, your fellow players and above all, the umpires. Cricket in 2012 is no less competitive than it was 100 years ago despite what we are brainwashed into thinking, and the game then was played in the proper spirit. The ICC have set the standard at test level and players who show dissent are severely dealt with by match referees, so let’s see something tangible on the table for local cricket, and let’s shame the players who feel they are above the integrity of the game.
…Like everyone else I’d like to see better weather! No matter what plans are in place, they amount to nothing if the weather is bad.
…I’d like to see better facilities for spectators at local cricket matches. Unfortunately the facilities at many grounds haven’t changed over the years and it seems clubs expect spectators to bring their own seats, food and shelter. Clubs need to provide more in terms of entertainment on and off the field if they are going to bring fans back to local cricket. That may mean Public Address announcements, music, food and beverage facilities, sheltered seating and entertainment during the lunch break. It seems ambitious, but we need to look outside the box if we really want to bring spectators to the game.
…In the same vein I’d like to see all cup finals given the status they deserve. It should start at the highest level, and it should embrace every cup final including youth and schools cricket. All finals should be sponsored and have a Man-of-the-Match Award. The NCU Senior Challenge Cup Final is our major showpiece and the union needs to approach the management of it in a more businesslike manner and restore its former status. The promotion of it has been allowed to slip back to mediocrity.
…I’d like to see cricket remember the Titanic in the 100th Anniversary of its sinking. On board was its designer Thomas Andrews, a former NCU Vice-President and a member of North Down CC. In this special year we should do something to mark the occasion and remember the most famous shipbuilder of all time.
…Finally I’d like to see the Cricket Ireland fairytale continuing and our best players making a bigger mark in the professional game. In the past few years they have been brilliant so let’s hope they can continue to take Irish cricket to another level.
Not much to ask for is it?
I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year and may all your dreams come true.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
