Forum

Wondering why there doesn't appear to have been an NCU nomination for the 'groundsman of the year'. Also I was disappointed to see the withdrawal of Dungannon but I realise the efforts that were made trying to keep things going for the last couple of seasons. I have been lambasted in the past as a 'naysayer' for comments that I made about the future of cricket but I have seen nothing that encourages me to think otherwise. The achievement of Test status will have little effect on the majority of club cricket that continues to be in decline and if the 'whispers' that I am hearing about proposals for the inter-pros are correct then the position of 'contracted players' will come into play. Remember the story about the emperor's new clothes!

The 2017 Cricket Ireland Turkish Airlines Award Winners

Turkish Airlines Men’s International Player of the Year – Paul Stirling
Hanley Energy Women’s International Player of the Year – Gaby Lewis
Sunday Independent Aengus Fanning International Emerging Player of the Year – Jacob Mulder
Hanley Energy Inter-Pro Player of the Year – James Shannon
Cricket Writer’s of Ireland Hall of Fame Award – Mary Pat Moore and Miriam Grealey
Gibney’s Outstanding Contribution to Irish Cricket, in honour of John Wright – Barry Chambers
Tildenet Club of the Year – Waringstown CC
O’Neills Club Player of the Year – Nigel Jones
Toyota Super 3s Player of the Year – Laura Delany
Clear Treasury Coach of the Year – Ryan Eagleson
IAA Official of the Year – Andrew Mooney
Oasis Volunteer of the Year, in honour of Derek Scott – David Ramsey
Shapoorji Pallonji Female Academy Player of the Year – Lara Maritz
Shapoorji Pallonji Male Academy Player of the Year – Simi Singh
Notts Sports Groundsman of the Year – Dale McDonough
Devenish Nutrition Female Youth International Player of the Year – Gaby Lewis
Flogas Male Youth International Player of the Year – Harry Tector

The NCU hosted a Club Life and Captains Forum last night at the Lagan Valley Civic Centre, Lisburn.
Over 70 people were present and from all accounts it was well received by club delegates. A wealth of knowledge and assistance was available from the NCU team, including umpires, and spearheaded by Club Chairman Alan Waite and General Manager Angela Platt. Cricket Development Officers Simon Johnston, Nigel Jones, Callum Atkinson and Umpire Alan Neill also played a big part. An excellent Presentation was provided with several accompanying workshops.
They included:
Grants available both local and national, Club facilities grant.
New laws of cricket (NIACUS to deliver for all captains within Clubs).
Emerging Accreditation scheme timeline.
CI proposed changes to youth playing formats.
NCU development team focus clubs and club developments for 2018.
2017 overview and looking ahead, update on Visa regulations and new developments.
2018 focus clubs.
Development support.
Attendees with the option of 2 workshops - intended 'audience' highlighted in bold type.
Grants & Governance
CI Facilities and Council grants.
Emerging Accreditation Scheme.
Safeguarding / Access NI.
New Laws of Cricket for 2018.
Open Forum-Game Development - Youth Cricket
New Playing Formats - CI proposals.
NCU Mini Bash / Summer Camps.
Support and Advice were the keynotes for the Presentation and it was an impressive list to cover. A follow-up will follow in March 2018.
Well done NCU.

It is with great regret that Sylvia Walker has sadly passed last night.
Husband Cecil was a much-loved former President and is an Honorary Life Member. Sylvia was just as much-loved, as she was a stalwart in the Lisburn scene for many years. Ailing health brought change and we missed her dearly. At her home she always dealt with a warm welcome despite her struggles, and Cecil was a Trojan behind her.
We extend the sincere condolences to Cecil, daughter Gloria and the family circle.
Rest in Peace dear Sylvia.
JCH

Well done to Goal Line youth trust (youth reach) for arranging another disability cricket evening. Big thanks to Craig Chambers and the Portadown Taverners cc for conducting the session.
A few pics can be found in the link below.
http://tinyurl.com/goallinecricket

High Performance Committee
The formation of a High Performance Committee (HPC) – a refinement of the High Performance Advisory Group, the committee will be responsible for the oversight and strategic implementation of men’s and women’s high performance areas – including selection – and will support as well as ‘check-and-challenge’ performance personnel. It will comprise internal and external expertise and report directly to the CI Board. The Chair of the Committee is former Director of the Irish Institute of Sport, Gary Keegan. The full Committee is:
Gary Keegan – Chair; former Director of the Sport Ireland Institute of Sport
Alan Lewis – former Irish international cricketer and CI Board Director
Kyle McCallan – former Irish international cricketer
Jo Hopkins – former head of performance planning, Sports Institute of NI
Frank Sowman – CI Board Director; Chair, Leinster Professional Game Board
Richard Holdsworth – CI Performance Director

The dates of Ireland’s inaugural Test match as an ICC Full Member – against Pakistan – have been confirmed as Friday May 11th to Tuesday May 15th. A decision on the venue will be announced in the coming weeks.

Recognition at last from Cricket Ireland that the arrangements for the West Indies weren’t good enough. I suppose that “On reflection” is as close to an apology that the fans will get.

Porterfield leaves Warwickshire
Ireland captain William Porterfield has joined Liverpool Premier League side Formby CC as player/coach for the 2018 season.
The 33 year-old was released earlier this year, raising speculation that he might return to play in Ireland as several clubs were keen to get his signature.
However, he has now moved close to Liverpool at Formby CC to play in England as the financial package was more attractive.
The move may limit his ability to play in the 2018 inter-pro series for the NW Warriors, although Porterfield is keen to play in the Irish first-class championship format.

Belfast funding.......
Clubs are invited to apply to BCC for Support for Sport large £5k and small £1k grants alongside EBA £2.5k grants plus other funds www.belfastcity.gov.uk

any word of a report on the AGM on the NCU website?

Ian
I hope you are not suggesting that the game took place in 1947!!!

Surely there was a 12 month warranty on those stumps Bumper?

YMCA ground was mentioned in an earlier post.
Great memory.
A young Billy Dale yes I was young a long time ago was selected for his debut game for North Down firsts.
At this stage of my career I thought there was only one way to take wickets and that was to bowl fast.
I raced in and delivered and fourth ball beat the opening bat, clean bowled but with such pace that the batsman left with bat and broken stump under his arm.
The team gathered around clearly impressed with the new opening bowler.
Perhaps the beginning of my legendary status was then.
I should finish the story there but on closer examination the set of stumps dated back to 1946 and some dry rot had weakened them.
Anyway good story and a true one.

NCU Dinner
To Bryan Milford and his team, well done at the NCU Annual Dinner. It was excellent and especially Geoff Miller the Guest Speaker. What a performance. It will be a tough act to follow!
Over 200 people shared the experience.
Well done the NCU.