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ULSTER BANK SCHOOLS CRICKET CUP DRAW
Methodist College will begin their defence of the Ulster Bank Schools
Cricket Cup with an away game against Belfast rivals Campbell College
or Down High School..
The holders are one of eight seeded schools which
received byes into the second round in which last year’s runners-up
RBAI will have home advantage against either Friends’ School Lisburn
or Sullivan Upper. All four North West schools in the competition
have also gone directly into the second round.
The full draw is:
First round to be played by May 3:
A: Ballyclare High School v Lurgan College
B: Bangor Grammar School v Carrickfergus Grammar School
C: Friends’ School Lisburn v Sullivan Upper
D: Campbell College v Down High School
E: Royal School Armagh v Ballymena Academy
F: Belfast High School v Antrim Grammar School.
Grosvenor Grammar School and RBAI Seconds received byes into the
second round along with the eight seeded schools.
The second round games to be played by May 10 are:
RBAI Seconds v Coleraine Grammar School.
Limavady Grammar School v A
B v Belfast Royal Academy
RBAI v C
D v Methodist College
Wallace High School v E
F v Strabane Academy
Foyle College v Grosvenor Grammar School.
INQUIRIES : ROBIN WALSH (077 33 100 821)

Loosely connected with cricket but Larne CC legend Ester Burke has written
a musical that will be performed at the Mill at Mosley at the end of February. Details on their website but what a great opportunity to support a guy who has lived Junior cricket for so many years.

NCU Independent Director Appointments announced
NCU
The Northern Cricket Union announces the appointment of three Independent Directors to its Board, following a recent recruitment process:
Michael Humphreys, Q.C – Independent Director
Michael Humphreys, Q.C joins the NCU Board with immediate effect and brings significant expertise to the NCU within both legal and governance fields.
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1994, Michael has extensive experience in the legal profession, with emphasis on Corporate Affairs and Commercial law. Michael was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2011 and he regularly advises directors and shareholders on matters of corporate governance, as well as representing many of Northern Ireland's leading companies in commercial disputes.
Outside of his professional life Michael has also been Chair of the Board of Governors of Methodist College for the last two years. This role involved overseeing a major review of corporate governance, which is now being implemented.
Michael is looking forward to combining his love for cricket with his professional skills in order to contribute and support the next phase of development for the NCU.
Ross Ellerby – Independent Director
Ross Ellerby joins the NCU Board with immediate effect and brings a wealth of experience in the areas of Strategy Development and Implementation, Marketing and Growth, Company and Corporate Governance, as well as financial responsibilities of running corporate entities.
With over 20 years' experience gained through various Company Director roles in a range of companies in the wider UK and abroad, Ross is a welcome addition to the NCU Board. In October 2009 Ross set up his own business to deliver Construction Management projects in the Property Development Sector. Running his own business has provided Ross with a wealth of experience in Corporate Development and Governance.
Ross is looking forward to bringing his extensive experience and skills to the NCU Board of Directors to support the ongoing development of the organisation and in particular supporting the change transition and strategy development the NCU is currently going through.
Rosemary Bryans – Independent Director
Rosemary Bryans joins the NCU Board with immediate effect and brings extensive experience in the area of Human Resources.
With over 18 years' experience as a Strategic Human Resources Professional Rosemary is a significant addition to the NCU Board. Her extensive experience and expertise cover all aspects of HR including resourcing, employee relations, talent management, performance management, change management, industrial relations and organisational design and workforce planning.
Rosemary is looking forward to bringing her high level of expertise to the NCU Board of Directors to support the wider development of the organisation, in particular the development and increase in employees for the NCU.
The Independent Director appointments will also be joined on the Board by a further Director appointment arising from a vacancy following the NCU AGM in October 2018.
Ken Nixon - Director
Ken Nixon joins the NCU Board with immediate effect and brings a broad range of experience in the legal profession, as well as across many voluntary roles he has held in various sporting bodies.
From 1973-1993 Ken was a Resident Magistrate and District Judge, followed by a role as Deputy County Court Judge up until his retirement in 2017. With those roles he has gathered extensive experience in the law. He has also been instrumental in establishing the annual Sport and the Law conference, delivered through a partnership with the NI Sports Forum and the Law Society NI. Ken was also a founding Director of Sports Resolutions UK, a company resolving disputes in sport by way of mediation and arbitration. He currently acts as a pro bono panel member with the company.
Ken's broader sports governance experience is extensive and where he will provide his greatest contribution to the NCU. His experience gained through various roles he has held over many years with organisations including the Northern Ireland Sports Forum, the Mary Peters Trust, the Commonwealth Games Council and the Government led Sports Matters Monitoring Group will bring additional expertise to the NCU in sports governance, lobbying and government strategy for priorities for sport.
The new Director appointments will bring a wealth of experience to the NCU Board and we look forward to seeing their contribution to the development and evolution of cricket in the NCU.
The full NCU Board of Directors until the next AGM in October 2019 is outlined below:
Chairman – Alan Waite
Vice-Chairman – Sam Beckett (Domestic Cricket)
Directors – Alastair Burton (Finance and Sponsorship), Allan Rutherford (Representative Cricket), Roger Bell, Kailash Chada (Hon Treasurer), Stephen Dyer, Ken Nixon and Brian Walsh
Independent Directors – Rosemary Bryans, Ross Ellerby and Michael Humphreys

Merry Christmas and a Happy & successful New Year to all Cricket Clubs from all at Cartwrights Sports

Best wishes to a Merry and Happy Christmas!

Thanks Roger.

It should make no difference Colin, as both the UK and the EU have agreed that the Common Travel Area, which has existed since the 1920's, and allows unrestricted movement between the two jurisdictions, will remain in place after Brexit.

Not looking to start a political discussion on rights and wrongs of Brexit.
However simple question;
In the event of a no deal Brexit will this affect overseas players playing in NCU/ NW on an Irish passport?
Additionally would cross border cups be affected?

Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy 2018 - 2019
The Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy has now been in operation for three years and continues to go from strength to strength. The Academy was originally established to provide opportunities for young talented players within the NCU to obtain specialist support. Thus, enabling more of those young players, both male and female, to gain international representation at Irish level at the various age groups. The Academy programme has had some success in that regard during the last three years, with some of the Academy graduates going on to gain representative honours at underage level, and others on the cusp of achieving that. We are delighted that the Academy support along with other coaches in the NCU system, has enabled so many players to achieve representative opportunities.
Following a recent review of the Academy, the NCU Representative Directorate has agreed that the 2018-19 Academy intake will focus on players within the 17-23 age group who have the potential to gain future Senior Interprovincial and/or Senior International representation, and who currently are not involved in any Cricket Ireland Pathway Programmes.
The Academy members will also be actively participating in the 2019 Emerging Knights fixtures, which it is anticipated will have up to have 10 match days.
Players selected for the Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy 2018-19 are as follows:
* Aditya Adey (Muckamore)
* Jack Burton (Carrick)
* Matthew Foster (CSNI)
* Sam Gordon (Muckamore)
* Jamie Magowan (North Down)
* John Matchett (CIYMS)
* Matthew McCord (Carrick)
* James Metcalfe (Instonians)
* Ben Rose (Instonians)
* Morgan Topping (CSNI)
* Harry Warke (Carrick)
* Aaron Wright (CSNI)
Andrew White commented, ‘The group of young players selected have shown promising performances at various stages during the Premier League last year and I look forward to helping them in their quest to push for representative honours in 2019. Simon Johnston’s coaching expertise and commitment to assisting the players achieve their potential will be invaluable over the coming months. The Academy is indebted to the continued support of Ulster University, O’Neills and MG2 Cricket who have been great supporters of the Academy since its inception’.

is there a reason that all the draws for ncu cups can't be done at the same time as the senior cup draw

At last some concrete fixtures to start a brand new copy for 2019 and something to look forward to come. Nice to see the sponsor Gallagher sponsoring and that the Womens draw took place on the same evening to and this is what should happen in all unions across the island of Ireland and not just on a throw away day
Any ideas Ed when the T20 cup fixtures will be published and those important League fixtures to and has anybody yet decided to stream matches live on their site or through the Northern Cricket Union site as it has been a good thing for the LCU
I have been lying low for a few weeks listening to the Womens side in the West Indies and yes we took a few hammerings but all it would take would be more exposure to big crowds like play a Womens final before a Mens T20 final and encourage more girls to play the sport in all communities. Hannah Greive and a few from the NCU should get a chance now that the 4 best ambassadors of the Womens game have retired, and play more matches to improve their technique.
Anybody missing cricket already can tune into Radio 5Live sports xtra for Australia v India from 1120 each night bar the Perth test at 0215 and followed by the Womens Big Bash from 0730. All live on BT Sport by the way to.

Holders Waringstown will be away to Holywood in the first round of
next season’s Northern Cricket Union’s Gallagher Challenge Cup.
The holders of the women’s trophy Lurgan will also be on their travels
against the winners of the preliminary round between Holywood and
Laurelvale..
Eight Premiership clubs and 10 from Section 1 of the Senior League
will compete for the men’s trophy but only two games will feature all
Premiership sides - Instonians v North Down looks to be the game of
the round and newly promoted Lisburn will be at home to CIYMS.
Dates have yet to be fixed for both tournaments and the full draws are:
Mens preliminary round:
Ballymena v Cregagh; Templepatrick v Donaghacloney Mill
First Round:
Carrickfergus v Woodvale; Instonians v North Down; Templepatrick or
Donaghacloney Mill v Downpatrick; CSNI v Armagh; Lisburn v CIYMS;
Bangor v Muckamore; Ballymena or Cregagh v Derriaghy; Holywood v
Waringstown.
Women’s preliminary round:
Holywood v Laurelvale; Donaghacloney Mill v Carrick.
First Round:
Waringstown v CSNI; Instonians v North Down; Muckamore v Donaghacloney
Mill or Carrickfergus; Holywood or Laurelvale v Lurgan.

It is with sadness and much regret that James McCall (Jimmy) sadly passed away this morning after a short illness.

Funeral details to follow.

Ulster Grasshoppers CC weekend tour to La Manga 4th April 2019
Afternoon guys
Please see below the email I received from the organiser of the tournament this week. If anyone is interested in getting touring / playing please email me etc. The details are self explanatory.
Cheers
Ricky

Hi Ricky
Good talking to you earlier.
We run a pre season tournament each April for teams looking to prepare for the coming season.
For the first time in 2019 we will be using our grass wickets following significant investment from Cricket Ireland, the grass wickets have been used by their test squad, women's squad this pre-season and for training sessions through the summer.
The tournament is an 8 team event, a 20/20 festival played over 3 days - with teams guaranteed a minimum of 4 games.
The standard package is teams arriving on Thursday 4th April, with cricket played Friday, Saturday and Sunday and teams leaving Monday.
Package includes
4 nights twin share accommodation in Las Lomas Sports Village Apartments - seewww.lamangaclub.com/accommodation and click on Las Lomas Apartments
3 days of cricket - minimum 4 games per team, umpires, balls, trophies etc... all provided - played on grass wickets
Scheduled use of 2 grass nets for 1 hour per day per team during the tournament
Sunday night presentation dinner - 3 course hot buffet with wine and beer on table
Daily return transfer per team from accommodation to ground (5 mins drive)
Use of fitness centre and spa
Discounts in a variety of bars and restaurants - plus special meal offers
Price £350pp for UK teams
Deposit of £100 or 30% per person - balance due 6 weeks before the event
Not included:
flights (you should book into Murcia / Corvera or Alicante)
Priced at £160pp return as of 09.11.18 by tourist Andy Beattie
Airport transfers - we quote this for you when we know how many players but approx 25 Euros PP for Murcia / Corvera and 40 Euros PP Alicante (This is the total price pp not each way)
Food unless where stated - please note the cricket centre marquee will serve breakfast baguettes, lunch time food options and soft hot drinks, snack, cakes and beer and wine all day.
I hope this helps, to confirm we need a rough idea of players and how many supporters and I can then provide a booking form / deposit invoice.
I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions
Regards
Andy House - La Manga

Ulster Grasshoppers CC Dinner 2019
Afternoon all
The annual Ulster Grasshoppers CC dinner is scheduled to take place on Saturday 2nd February 2019 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Shaw's Bridge, Belfast.
Last years event was a super evening in excellent surroundings with Lisburn CC stalwart and now respected umpire, Michael Foster our guest speaker. This year, the guest speaker is former Irish skipper and Grasshopper, Kyle McCallan (227 caps).
The evening is open to non members and from talking to cricketers over the summer, there was high interest in attending the dinner. If you are interested, please email me on richard@finlaygrahamproperty.com
Many thanks
Ricky
Chairman Ulster Grasshoppers