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In consultation with Cricket Ireland and the other Provincial Unions, the NCU have decided to extend the suspension of all activities under our auspices until at least 28 May 2020.
The postponement of the start of the season will allow us to observe government directives and public health protocols, and ensure the welfare and safety of our volunteers, players, staff, coaches, and families within the cricket community, and we will take all necessary actions to do our part in limiting the spread of the Coronavirus.
This decision also includes suspension of, or the ongoing suspension of, our school and holiday programmes and camps.
While the situation remains somewhat fluid, we are already developing scenarios for how a revised cricket season may look after we can resume operations. These scenarios, of course, will be kept under constant review and we will update clubs as soon as we have more clarity on a likely start date.
As you would expect, our offices will continue to remain closed during this time with staff working from home whilst all meetings (including committees) will be fulfilled by video/teleconferences.
Club support
Cricket Ireland and the Provincial Unions have also been liaising with sporting and government bodies on what funding and support opportunities are, or will be, available to clubs. In the coming week we will communicate further details about relevant programmes and initiatives that may be relevant to your club, and we will keep you as informed as possible about the evolving nature of these as they are announced.We are currently reviewing the Rates Relief and Small Business Grants in particular, and once eligibility is confirmed we will update clubs.
Angela Platt
General Manager

At this time of the year all clubs are usually in the middle of their pre-season ground preparations. The square in particular takes up many hours via rolling etc. Outfields often need contractors brought in for rolling, sanding etc. Teams of volunteers are mobilised to get covers, screens, score huts etc out of hibernation.
Also as all groundsmen know you need the square rolled by end April/early May otherwise it gets too firm.
I am interested to know how clubs (particularly those with volunteer ground staff) are planning to manage all these activities against the current government directive about non-essential travel, non essential activities and no groups of more than 2 people. In addition all club treasurers are keeping what cash they have to cover essential bills and wages with little available for grounds or general cricket expenditure.
As the NCU deliberate about what type of season (if any) can be salvaged they also need to factor the above into their discussions.

Hi
In an effort to lift the boredom how about all the NCU clubs picking their best team of all time ?
Most importantly follow the government guidelines and stay safe .

So very sorry to hear the news about Iain. Condolence to his kith and kin and, of course, the Woodvale family. He was a thoroughly decent guy.

Iain Warke
It is with great sadness that cricket lovers throughout the Province have heard of the sad passing of Iain Warke, a stalwart at Woodvale Cricket Club. We knew for some time that he was ill, but he bore his illness with great courage. A former Captain at the club, he inherited a rich pedigree from his father Larry, the former Ireland all-rounder, and of course from his brother Stephen, the former Ireland Captain, who brought further distinction worldwide. Iain mixed cricket and rugby and often said combining both was challenging when in conflict. He was a popular man at Woodvale and a great friend of the Northern Cricket Union through his sponsorship from Gardiner Bros, aided by his son Michael.
The Warke name is synonymous with Woodvale Cricket Club, but the passing of Iain is a sad blow for everyone.
Our sincere condolences to the family.
Rest in Peace, Iain.

JCH & JK

NCU UPDATE ON COVID 19
As you know the NCU suspended all cricket activity until 29 March at the earliest based on advice from Cricket Ireland.
This is a complex and novel situation both for the Union and our clubs. I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the situation and planning for a number of eventualities.
NCU Action
The health and wellbeing of staff, coaches, volunteers and players is a key priority and the Union has taken the following actions:
• Staff are working remotely from home and conducting meetings via conferencing or telephone;
• All training sessions, coaching courses and schools’ programmes are suspended until at least 29 March;
• Cancellation of non-essential travel for staff.
We know clubs and players are anxious about the impact on domestic cricket and the season ahead and here is the up-to-date situation.
Domestic and Inter-provincial Cricket
At this stage we cannot provide any certain information on a possible change to the start date for competitions. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and looking at contingency plans for various scenarios, including different start dates. We will of course look at the impact on clubs and the integrity of our competitions as part of these contingency plans and consult with clubs before any action or plans are agreed
Club Training
Based on advice from Cricket Ireland, the Union suspended all cricket activity until 29 March 2020 at the earliest. We recommend clubs also adhere to these guidelines and suspend all club training for both youths and seniors until this date. We will issue a further update closer to 29 March.
Registrations
Registration of players should be submitted by 15 April. The General Secretary will be issuing the necessary forms to clubs shortly. However, there is no need to submit starring lists until we have a start date for the season, and we will keep in touch with clubs on this.
Club Fees
At this time of year clubs are invoiced for affiliation fees, advance of registration fees and umpire costs.
It is recognised that this will be a difficult time financially for clubs, therefore the initial invoice will only be for affiliation fee of £25.
Collection of advance on registration fees and umpires’ costs will be dependant on the start of the season.
Overseas Players
We are unable to provide any guarantees or assurances regarding the entry into the country of overseas players or the potential quarantine period they may face on arrival. Clubs will want to check what contractual arrangements they may have entered into with overseas players.
We would advise clubs to monitor UK Government advice on travel both in and out of the country. This is a situation that is changing rapidly and clubs should monitor Government advice.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Ongoing Updates
We appreciate how close we are to the start of the season and that clubs are eager to put plans in place. The Union will continue to monitor developments and update clubs as appropriate.
Angela Platt (General Manager) angela.platt@ncucricket.org
and Bryan Milford (General Secretary) bryan.milford@ncucricket.org are available to answer queries from clubs.
Our priority just now should be one another’s wellbeing. So please concentrate on keeping well and hopefully we will be playing cricket soon.
Sam Beckett
Chairman

Coronavirus Update
NCU
Following our statement yesterday in respect of Covid 19 (Coronavirus) we wish to update you. Having considered the advice from Cricket Ireland and the relevant public authorities, NCU has undertaken the following actions:
The NCU Office has now been closed to staff and visitors from 5pm this evening – working from home procedures have been established, and staff are contactable by phone or email during normal business hours (except Tuesday 17th March, which is a public holiday for the NCU Office and recognised as a statutory holiday for NCU staff);
We will endeavour to fulfil external business meetings during the period when the office is closed by phone or video conferencing, as appropriate;
We will cancel any non-essential travel by staff during this period;
All cricket activity led by NCU staff has been postponed and we have been advising the relevant organisations and individuals involved;
LATEST GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH ADVICE
There is a vast amount of information available regarding COVID-19, but the following websites contain regularly updated information both in the UK and ROI.
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
WHAT IF SOMEONE AT MY CLUB SHOWS SYMPTOMS?
Anyone with suspected symptoms of Coronavirus should follow Government health advice and:
Isolate themselves from other people – this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone.
Dial 111 in the UK or 112 in ROI to report your symptoms and seek advice.
In a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) dial 999.
If you have any concerns regarding a potential Coronavirus case at your club, dial 111 in the UK and 112 in ROI
At this stage the steps that we have taken also relate to NCU planned activities up to 9th April 2020. We will continue to actively monitor developments on a day-to-day basis, and provide further updates as appropriate.
Sam Beckett
Chairman, Northern Cricket Union

Due to ongoing concerns and developments regarding COVID 19, the NCU has decided to postpone this event (NCU Golf Day), but with plans to reschedule in the autumn, following guidelines from both Cricket and Golfing National Governing Bodies.
Whilst we are disappointed to convey this message, we believe in doing so early is the correct course of action.
The NCU have been liaising with Royal Belfast Golf Club and we hope to be able to confirm a revised date in early April, and we will convey this as soon as we possibly can.
We hope that you will understand why we have taken this course of action and look forward to your involvement at the rescheduled event.
Sam Beckett
Chairman, Northern Cricket Union

NCU has agreed to follow the Cricket Ireland protocol & all cricket activity is to be postponed until 29th March.
As a result there will be no further Regional Development Squad sessions until further notice.
NCU will continue to monitor the situation & will update in due course.

The health and safety of players, staff, coaches, families and volunteers within the cricket community is our key priority, and we will take all necessary actions to do our part in limiting the spread of the Coronavirus.
As a result of the clear advice from public authorities, Cricket Ireland will undertake the following actions:
• The Cricket Ireland Office will be closed to staff and visitors from 6pm this evening, until 29 March 2020 – all staff will work with their line managers on establishing working-from-home procedures, and conducting meetings via video conferencing;
• We will endeavour to fulfil external business meetings during this time by phone or video conferencing, as appropriate;
• We will cancel any non-essential travel by staff during this period;
• All training sessions led by Cricket Ireland coaching staff will be postponed immediately until 29 March 2020;
• An immediate assessment will be made on the scheduled tour to Zimbabwe by the Ireland Men’s senior team, with an announcement made in due course.
Furthermore, Cricket Ireland will liaise with Provincial Unions on their own emergency plans to ensure a consistent approach is being taken across the Unions and the 117 clubs across Ireland. The Unions will also postpone all training and schools programmes until 29 March 2020.
While we are not in the regular season for cricket at this stage, we are conscious that most clubs will have a scheduled programme of pre-season activity underway. We appreciate this disruption may inconvenience many, however, we believe it is in the best interests of both the cricket family and the wider community, and we sincerely thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and understanding.
We will continue to actively monitor developments on a day-to-day basis, and provide further updates over the coming weeks.

I wonder when the ncu will deliver the inevitable news that League cricket is suspended this year

Templepatrick CC are renewing our Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance are wondering if their is anyone out there interested in giving us a competitive quote, or has anyone any good contacts.
I so please get in touch with me on mccrea.a@sky.com
regards
Andy McCrea

My earliest competitive memory in cricket was from the Parks league.
As a boy of 10 I learnt to keep the score but before every game I counted the number of players.
Only 10 today so I am on the team.
Batting11 of course.
Ninth wicket goes down I walk to the crease with oversized pads and bat. Instructions were stay in line and push forward.
What seemed to me like Freddy Trueman racing into bowl.
With eyes firmly closed I pushed forward. An edge ball onto the cinder pitch. Run one game tied call for the second pads slipping off and heavy bat entangled. Disaster as I sprall mid wicket and the throw comes in.
Run out but carried off shoulder high for getting Loopvale a tie.

Read Clarence Hiles interesting account of the Belfast Park League now in our features section. Woodvale CC were winners of the league in the first two years of its existence.

Not long now until the new season!!
Cartwrights Sports can supply all your Club's requirements.
Contact john@cartwrights-sports.co.uk or call him on 07812203281