Forum

I though this had a certain resonance for the whole cricket in Ireland situation and the seemingly fruitless search for El Dorado.
Poetry For The Mildly Insane: The Shiny Things by Edwin Madu

There was an urgency the night bore
When the men with the shiny things came
The air was tight
Words on lips were light
The moon cowered
The crickets were mute
The men arrived on beasts
That resembled slender lifeless horses
They came to us as we sat in the open
Telling old stories to newborns
They asked us where our leaders were
We took them there with hastened steps
For these men were white
Almost as white as the cowering moon
They saw the chiefs and gave them gifts
The chiefs, they laughed and called them kin
The gifts were several, shiny they were
But after that night, more of the moon men arrived
But bearing no gifts, they took instead
They stole our land and erased our name
Freedom left when the shiny things came.

Dr Murray Power will be recognised with a Special Award - Outstanding Contribution and Service to Irish Cricket , in honour of John Wright - at the 2018 Turkish Airlines Cricket Ireland Awards on Friday 2 November 2018.

Yes Ed. My comments were mainly directed at CI. But any cursory perusal of the "other" site will reveal the level of misgiving that exists. I would respectfully suggest that, having seen how the upper level of administration has evolved across both sports, we are justified in making comparisons.

For many seasons I have been posting about the machinations of CI vis-a-vis what happened when rugby ‘went professional’. To take a jaundiced view of the present scenario and looking at the highly paid CEOs and their minions I see people being involved in basic admin duties - for instance - is it really the role of a CEO to be drinks waiter at an under-age game or handing out the paperwork at an AGM? It’s all about added value.. Having heard assurances that ‘we have’ learned and taken on board the lessons from Rugby Ireland’ I really do have to ask the question. The real problem is that there are so many now involved at the top Level. who are loathe to complain because they are ‘in the system’.As someone who has been involved for more years than I care to remember I am concerned about the continual decline in the Union in which I am mostly involved I really have to ask ‘did anyone take notice of my comments a few seasons ago about the emperor’s new clothes.? This is not a rhetorical question. When I look at my grandson I do wonder will there be cricket for him to enjoy in the 2020s. The ‘vibs’ that I get from the hierarchy says ‘no’ But hey - we are a Teat Nation and those at the top will have the attainment of such status on their CVs should they move on

Thanks for follow up.after enquiry at donacloney c c was able to get a copy . sorry for not letting you know sooner . thanks again

Thanks Ed, I've been catching up on scorecards missing from my 2018 score-books and writing scores from my other love which is snooker, pool and billards games from all leagues and international events. Both of the sports are enjoyable and lasts for hours which is a good and keeps the mind ticking over all year round. Ed is their any cricket clubs in the Northern region with snooker or pool associations that are aligned with each other.
One thing you failed to respond with was "I told you so" with Waringstown winning the Irish Senior Cup you said that the cup would end up North so true you were or were you being diplomatic

Thanks and congrats to Clarence Hiles after reading his comments regarding.2018 where can I purchase history of N C U book

Hi Ed it has been a while since my last posting and congrats to CIYMS in the Premier, Lisburn in Section 1 and Templepatrick in Section 2 and in the cups well done to Waringstown in winning both of the regional Finals and also in the Irish Senior Cup (you got your wish saying the cup could head north and it did just that) and to every one else who won well done, and those relegated in Leagues and runners up in Cups hard luck and bounce back next year (like Lisburn did this year).
In the Womens area congrats to Muckamore on the League success and to Lurgan on the Cup win.
2018 season has passed now and to all those men and women who have retired from playing and umpiring a good and happy retirement to all and to the new kids starting it is all ahead of you and for all those who passed on during the season we will remember them
For any one out there without a Sky or BT television there will be live commentaries on all of Ireland Womens matches in the T20 World Cup and all others on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Xtra and 4 Long Wave on certain ones on BBC Radio and all of the Aussie domestic T20 comps men and women and Internationals aswell.
Also a TMS Social will be done during the Sri Lanka tour by England as Talksport has the rights, only on their digital station of Talksport 2 so can not be gotten in the Republic but can do in the North (someting akin to the defunct Test Match Sofa) but gurellia cricket will provide alt commentary online

Northern Cricket Union Autumn/Winter Regional Development Sessions

This week 350 junior cricketers from more than 28 clubs and schools will receive invitations to attend regional coaching sessions, to be undertaken by over 20 Northern Cricket Union coaches. Ranging from Under 9's to Under 17's (boys and girls) and undertaken in 3 locations: Antrim Forum, Ulster University Jordanstown Sports Centre and Wallace High School, these regional development sessions which started in 2012 have gone from strength to strength.
Commenting on the programme, NCU Cricket Operations Manager, Uel Graham, said ‘this is the foundation of our winter programme where clubs and schools can nominate players, across all age groups who they believe have potential, to attend coaching sessions from our dedicated coaching team. The NCU also welcomes club coaches to attend and observe these sessions so that we can share some best practices on a wider scale. We have increased and strengthened our coaching pool, with Knights players, James Cameron Dow and Rob McKinley, and current Premier League player, Andrew Cowden, who all undertake coaching duties at their clubs, adding their expertise at a regional level. Michael Clark, from New Zealand, who was a professional at Carrick, Woodvale, Lisburn and North Down in the 1990's, and is a Level 2 coach, has relocated to Northern Ireland, and has also joined our team.
Within the girls coaching team, senior NCU women players, Staci Maxwell and Becky Hall will be formally involved for the first time, bringing their player experience to the junior girls programmes.

Callum Atkinson who was Lead Coach at Under 13 level has moved up to Under 15's, and Stephen Dyer, who has worked across the junior age groups as volunteer and coach, has stepped up to lead the Under 13's, whilst Peter Bates (Under 9), Andy McCrea (Under 11) and Nigel Jones (Under 17) continue their good work as Lead coaches.

The commitment of coaches, parents and administrators at club and school level are all fundamental to the success of this programme and hopefully it will have a positive impact on club participation levels, and also to the ability levels of the players who attend these sessions as part of their cricketing journey, which can be undertaken in a safe and fun environment.’
NCU Chairman, Alan Waite, said, 'the NCU has continued to develop and enhance the development program over the last five years and we are delighted that this winter will see record numbers of nominations from the clubs. The expanded nature of the winter schedule has required the introduction of a number of new coaches all of whom already contribute massively to their respective clubs and who will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help support those who have done so much to establish the coaching program'.

The Annual General Meeting, taking place at the Civic Centre, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn, on Tuesday 9 October 2018, commencing at 7.30pm.

Any further queries should be directed to Bryan Milford, General Secretary of the Northern Cricket Union. Mobile: 07828 182090

North Down Coach Craig Yelverton leads the Futura Sports Agency Academy and would like to invite any prospective cricketer over the ages of 17 who is looking take their pre season to a new level to join our program based in Durban South Africa. Have a look at our video from this year's program and get in touch.
Craig can be contacted via email -
craigwy@futurasports.co.za
YouTube video -
https://youtu.be/EpwCI_SMWyY

I was reading at the weekend that there is a growing demand from the IFA towards playing Irish League games from February to October .
What effect do readers of the Forum think this could have on local cricket?

Board confirms Malahide to host England ODI in 2019 and other outcomes from recent Board Meeting
CORK – The Board of Cricket Ireland has confirmed that Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin has been designated as the venue to host a one-day international against England in May 2019, as part of a wider-ranging endorsement of a plan to overhaul venue allocation policies and procedures for marquee fixtures, at its recent Board Meeting held at Cork County Cricket Club on 12 September 2018.
The one-day international (ODI), to be held on Friday 3 May 2019, was initially announced in June 2018 as part of the release of the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), with the Board now confirming that Malahide will be the host venue (subject to finalisation of terms with the host club).
The allocation of the fixture was part of the Board’s broader consideration of venue allocation policies, with an overhaul of procedures now underway ahead of the first full year as part of the FTP, with further announcements in due course for the remainder of the 2019 programme
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said:
“We are, of course, looking forward to our first Test match against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in July 2019, but we are equally eagerly anticipating hosting England in an ODI here in Ireland ahead of the Test.
“We expect there will be immense interest in the match, as it will be seen by England as a key part of their preparations ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. We look forward to working with, and continuing to enjoy the generous support of, Malahide Cricket Club, Fingal County Council and other local stakeholders for what should be another great cricket event.”
“Planning is underway for this encounter and we would anticipate tickets going on sale before the end of 2018.
“As it stands, in 2019 we will have four Full Member national men’s teams visiting our shores, playing in different formats. The importance of venue allocation for these fixtures is crucial in providing the best conditions we can for our national side, while trying to manage the usual wear-and-tear that pitches endure over a season for the inter-provincial sides and clubs that also use those grounds.
“The Board considered this issue in detail and has endorsed the development of a new Match Allocation Policy for international and Inter-Provincial matches in Ireland. This move recognises the increased demand on our international-rated grounds given our entrance into the FTP.”
“We currently have just four international-rated grounds in Ireland – Malahide, Clontarf, Stormont and Bready. The challenge of using club grounds for international matches is that when it comes to access, infrastructure and pitch quality there are competing demands and expectations between users of those grounds.”
“As part of the discussions, the Board raised the matter of recent comment on the standard of pitches at Stormont. I said the day after we became a Full Member last year that our biggest deficit in infrastructure and human resource was in facilities, and it would take years to change. We have invested thousands in new ground covers, people and transportation of equipment / experienced ground-staff this year to offset the impact of poor weather, but we know being on a par with the older Test nations in the whole area of playing facility development, preparation and management is a much longer-term project.”
“Managing pitch conditions and facilities in general, and taking a strategic approach to where we host matches – taking into consideration pitches, home advantage, revenue generation, cost and geographical spread – will become ever more important with increased international matches over coming years. This is also why we are also exploring the construction of a new cricket stadium – not to take international matches away from existing venues, but rather to provide dedicated, durable cricket facilities and to spread the fixture load across our already busy grounds.”
Next year will be the first full year that Ireland is part of the FTP, but Deutrom sees the programme as an opportunity for Ireland to ensure its policies and facilities are fit-for-purpose.
“One of the operational frustrations of having been outside of the FTP was this very constraint on our ability to plan forward in terms of allocating venues. This had the knock-on impact for domestic fixture scheduling and short-to-medium term financial modelling. Now, with our entrance into the FTP, we are in a position to know our marquee fixtures for the foreseeable future, and allocate matches to venues accordingly. We see this providing benefits in relation to venue planning, building a case for venues to engage with funding authorities to seek infrastructure development funding, and enabling us to market/promote our sport with greater certainty,” said Mr Deutrom.
“The Board has recognised that our existing Match Allocation Policy was drawn up five years ago when the Irish cricket landscape was very different to now – in particular the quantity of major matches to allocate, our ICC status, the hosting of Test cricket, and developments in ICC venue standards.”
“The Board’s decision will enable Cricket Ireland to work closer with Provincial Unions and clubs to create a sustainable network of cricket venues across this island.”

Hi
The Club Facilities Grant Fund is open now for applications and we at Cartwrights Sports would very much like to help your Club if you are considering making an application for grant funding.
We would be very grateful if you would allow us to provide your Club with a quote for whatever equipment etc. you are interested in purchasing using this grant.
Some of the facilities/equipment we can supply include: -
• Refurbishment of artificial pitches/practice areas;
• Installations of new playing/practice pitches;
• Mobile covers;
• Sight screens;
• Netting;
• Flat sheets &
• Water removal machines
The list is not exhaustive so please contact us about your Clubs requirements.
All Clubs who obtain a quote and finalise business with us will be entered into a draw and the winning Club will receive £100 worth of cricket balls for the 2019 season.
Hope this is of interest to all Clubs and I look forward to hearing from you.
Contact me at john@cartwrights-sports.co.uk or give me a call on 07812203281.

Please find attached an e-mail link from Cricket Ireland detailing The Cricket Ireland Club Facilities Grant. The grant assists cricket clubs to improve grounds, pavilions and equipment, through the Provincial Union support structure to clubs.

http://bit.ly/Grants_Funding