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Then I apologise Neil I thought it was out of character for you and I've misread your post

Good luck

Re Neill Harvey's proposal:

Far from meriting any unwarranted discord, I believe Neill's idea is most certainly a very purposeful, creative piece of practical, common-sense, cricket thinking, and one avenue worth exploring by our senior cricket clubs and the NCU!

I'm not in any position of authority or have the playing experience to comment on the pros & cons of any particular club 'hiring' additional players to strengthen their on field resources in order to improve league title and cup aspirations, that's up to them I guess, but I do feel sorry for the lad or couple of lads ( hypothetically speaking ), at an aforementioned club, who have worked hard and performed reasonable well the season past for his clubs second, third, eleven etc. and was genuinely excited at the prospect of a crack in his club's higher tier, though alas, now with the close season arrival of 'Johnny-come-lately' and 'Mike Maverick', he has to deeply exhale and resign himself to the fact it's another season of same old, same old and will he ever his chance to prove to his peers that he can play at the highest level !

Food for though at least ?

Re: Neill Harvey

You make some very valid points and I agree putting a rule in place that a certain amount of under 21s have to be starred or play in every 1st XI game, but I can imagine that clubs wouldn't be in favour particularly in May and June when kids are doing exams or at university.

Another idea would be to impose a ruling that all PL teams have to have proper covers including square covers , water hog, electronic scoreboard etc and section 1 proper covers etc

Neil Hunter is correct that the premier league would be better going back to a ten team league to reduce the reliance on paid players and fear of relegation etc etc as well as giving clubs with bars more home games. Hard to see PL clubs agreeing though

Andy Kennedy & monti Bell - £200k over 7 years is less than £30k a year. When you take into account upkeep of grounds, balls, maintenance, bar staff, NCU fees before any player gets paid, pro(s) flown in and housed, then surely most of big premier league clubs would have spent this sort of figure over the last 7 years which is scary especially during a period of recession.

The ironic thing would be that despite all the criticism our friends at CIYMS would tick the boxes already in terms of requirements in terms of age limits and minimum standard of facilities when other clubs wouldn't get close. Plenty of food for thought for the NCU

Wayne, you make some very valid points.

If there are more blow ins, youngsters get less chances. 8 team leagues don't help the development of young cricketers as many don't get a chance to perform because of the pressure to get results.

The North West may prosper because the money chasing players that where in the North West are now in the NCU, thus giving more kids a chance in the North West.

The NCU tour to South Africa is a great idea but It needs to happen on a regular basis to help development of cricket in the an NCU.

With all the professionals doing so much alledged coaching and development officers in situ, some serious questions need asked as to what is really going on with youth cricket.

I think we as a Union are heading in the right direction, albeit we are playing catch up, but the figures Wayne has given are pretty shocking.

If youth cricket was being run as a business, what would the solution be?

Answers please!

A lot of talk about underage representation on forum at present. An idea on this which may cause consternation but what about something as simple as each team having to play x amount of players under a certain age limit say 21 thus giving good genuine young people oppurtunity to play at highest level with each club being in the same boat.
As I say probably get shot down by forum users but lets face it this is an issue that will be on here year in year out

Alarming stats Wayne although I understand the decline in our representative youth figures are well known to the NCU and they have been trying to get clubs back to grassroots and better future planning. Some have a lot of catch up while others are better placed although no club can ignore their youth or they will lose the heart of the club and this has nothing to do with winning trophies. Only 11 players play in the 1st XI but a good club needs to be strong down the teams both on and off the field.
What are you suggesting for clubs to get together?

As usual we get to this time of year and we get into criticising clubs “transfer policies”. I am a great believer that each club is accountable to its own members and as such what success is to any individual club is determined by the objective of its own members.
There is a lot of rubbish chat by people with no idea of what other clubs goals may be. Some clubs goals may be dominated by the aspirations of one or two members and arguably this is always the case as active members tend to get what they want.
Anyways the hard facts of NCU cricket are we are being left behind in terms of contribution to Irish cricket as seen below.
- 1 NCU player (G Wilson) in most recent Irish Team and probably 2-3 max will be in world cup squad (Wilson, White, Stirling). Max 20% representation probably less
- Ireland 19s – 2 players, both Waringstown. About 10% representation
- Ireland 17s – 1 player, Waringstown. 5% representation
- Ireland 15s – 4 players – 2 Waringstown 17% representation
- Ireland 13s – 7 players – 33% representation
For what it is worth the NCU and clubs should start to be benchmarked and rewarded for contributing to squads. These stats are astounding in light of the alleged volume of development officers and professionals in the NCU! Perhaps the influx of NW talent into the NCU is actually helping the NW in the long term. I don’t know enough to get into detail but the statistics are concerning. It will be interesting to see if the percentage at Under 13 level can be maintained through the age groups over the next few years.
If Ireland is to become a test nation, more clubs need support for developing cricketers and the various unions need to incentivise this and financially support this. Rather than criticise each club why don’t clubs get together to address the youth statistics and look at enhancing the future NCU (and Irish) generations.

No commercial confidentiality in Monti's posting!! £200k and 1 title!! Ballymena's win in the late 90s didn't cost a shilling. A team of talented cricketers all playing for each other. But then again there's a million miles between a "team" and a "side".

Paul - overthe years I have posted on a wider range of topics than "pros" and a "couple of clubs".

Caleb - you are very kind. I remember that game very well and indeed I met a young man recently at a function in Belfast who had played on the evening. We had a good chat about that and many other aspects of the game. Also Flossie still remembers the energetic dance with Gerald in Brownlow House!!

Re: Johnny McKinstry
The NCU have no jurisdiction over umpires or appointments or umpire disciplinary matters. What would you say in your letter? An umpire is slagging off our grounds equipment so he must not be impartial??
The condition of the CI sight screens if they are poor, will be recorded in the umpires ground report. If poor reports are frequent then Mr Hunter might come calling and asking how soon the screens can be brought up to standard. Sight screens must be a pretty low requirement because there are plenty of [s]crap sight screens around the grounds.
FWIW Taverners cc at Chambers park only play social cricket, but after reparing the old Portadown cc grounds kit and machines, we now have excellent sight screens, and decent covers, all new drainage, a full time groundsman and with any luck we will have a newly restored square for our 2015 season. If a Taverners club can do this in just one season, why can't every club do the same? Especially if a club that is receiving the criticism is well able to afford to easily remedy the situation.

I see the CI bashing has started again, right on time..Why does peoples jealousy stand in the way of reason ??
The recruitment policy which our club uses is no concern of anyone else...its the only way forward when we are entering a professional era.
When this all started 6-7 yrs ago we had no idea that we would spend the guts of 200k...but i can honestly say it has been well spent and worth every penny. Take a look at our youth and the inspirational characters we have had through the gates and then finally culminating in our premier league title
Its a professional era chaps...get used to it or as someone said...dont play us...

In this ever increasing materialistic world, were few will stand in a gap to turn a cow for their neighbour (unless they're paid that is), I still fondly remember a certain gentleman turning up in official regalia and overseeing a friendly match between two cricket clubs, adding kudos to the occasion through his professional expertise and keen eye, offering positive advice and critique when and where it was needed!

After the match he shook hands with all involved and thanked everyone for the enjoyable game then bade farewell, there was no press, photographs or VIP's in situ, nor was there even a cup-a-tea to be had and on the journey home whilst dropping off the lads involved in the game, I wondered why he had travelled from so far away that weekday evening to umpire a match that may have appeared to outside observers to be a rather nondescript event ?

I then overheard one young fella from the rear seat blow and blast to his mates that it was his diving stop on the boundary, saving a certain four that won the game for the team, this was countered by his mate who retorted it was his 2 runs scored not out that made all the difference, and while they laughed and bantered away it hit me like a 'juggernaut'...that's why he had travelled all the way to our venue and gave up his time so selflessly to assist in the game and make it a worthwhile experince for those participating!

Thanks again Andy... your passion for the local game is not only admirable but unquestionably genuine and sincere for all who play and as well as encouraging so many to become involved, you also inspired a certain older player to sit his umpire exams and have the courage and confidence to become a cricket umpire himself!

A gentleman indeed !

Re Graham

You seem to be a bit slow on the uptake Graham. Neil was referring to his own club CIYMS when referring to having no youth 10 years ago.....

Re Andy Kennedy

You claim to only go on about club facilities? What about your numerous postings regarding pros and in particular a couple of clubs.

Graham

My comments were about my own club not Cregagh. At no stage have I had a dig at Cregagh nor have I any interest in doing so.

The late great Jack Kyle.
All Ulster sportspeople will be sad at the passing on one of our greatest ever sportsmen. Jack was acknowledged as Ireland's greatest ever rugby player but what is not so well known is that he was also a useful cricketer. He played regularly when at Queen's university in the 1940s and made several appearance in the Senior Cup before rugby and his medical career took over.
Rest in Peace