Forum

Re Practice facilities

Chaps/ladies would anyone know of any practice facilities that Woodvale could use for pre-season nets. Unfortunately we have been let down by the school we used last year and after trying numerous leisure centres we are still 'drawing blanks' - Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Roger
As one of a dying breed playing on into my 50's I think your proposal is spot on.Thirty overs per side with tea at the end would see us finished by 6pm.The social scene has changed and certainly doesn't revolve around after match "bonding" any more.The postings are spot on about who are the "missing players ".Earlier finishes might just encourage more of them to turn out.I also think earlier starts should be encouraged if not neccessarily mandantory.

Other transfer rumours :

A. Haire - Carrick
C. Boultwood - Saintfield
B. Anderson - Carrick
G. McKee - Civil Service
P. Sterling - Instonians
P. McCrum - possibly retiring

I think Wayne is absolutely correct regarding the main reasons why 20-35 year olds are tending to drift out of our game nowadays. I had suggested at a recent Competitions/Development meeting that we might consider having a Saturday league or leagues available at the lower levels for teams who just want to play a shortened game of 20-25 overs. Similar to mid-week league but played at the weekend. Does anybody think there would be a demand for this to try to keep these people in the game /bring them back, especially in view of a number of 3rd and 4th XIs pulling out of leagues for 2009?

In my view the problem with cricket now is not kids. There are a lot more kids playing cricket and that has been due to the success of Ireland and many pros going out to non-cricketing schools to promote cricket plus the hard work of the development officers over the years. It has been raised on numerous occassions on this forum the problem is adults tend not to play on in their late 20's/30s and beyond which has seen dwindling numbers in junior cricket. I have spoken to a lot of mates of mine who over the years have stopped playing. Main reason is the length of games in junior cricket. 20-30 over league matches and 50 overs for cup might get more adults playing albeit not for the traditionalist?

Andy
I think most clubs will confirm that they have many more kids taking part in youth cricket than at any time in the last 25 years.
This, however, has not led to more adult cricketers (slightly less in fact), but that is probably down to a number of social reasons, few if any of which I'm sure can be blamed on paid players, either local or overseas.
But I think the 'pros' have probably helped bring through some really good ones...

re Wayne Horwood - I have no problem with the paid players and I am aware of the contribution that they have made to the game at several levels. My point- and I have made it on many occasions- is that we have seen a reduction in the numbers of sides being fielded year on year in the NCU - and yet we heard, each year at the NCU ASGMs during the debates on the usual Waringstown proposal re pros, that clubs were hiring first rate coaches and the number of kids being brought into cricket, etc. when the reality was very different - and I'm talking about 25+ years. Think of the amount of time that would have been saved at the AGMs if people had "let the cat out of the bag" sooner! Maybe I'm still "bitter" after all these years that Sunny Singh didn't win the Senior Cup for Ballymena against North Down all those yoears ago!! You see I am really old!!

Re Andy Kennedy. I take it from your email you are not a supporter of professionals or paid players in any form? I think Clarences article sums up the position well and worth a read. On another note each person has their own views on pros etc. I think the impact of professionals and "non-locals" has had a phenomenal impact on the local game. Where would Irish cricket be now without their impact? Would we have reached a world cup? Would we have as many players in county cricket etc? All I can comment on is what I have witnessed in my own club. The impact Ewen had in the last 3 years has been phenomenal and hopefully the youth system in CSN will be a testament to his work and our investment in that period. Similarly Nigel and Regan have brought a professionalism and will to win that has encouraged others to train harder, improve their game and not be carried. What do we benefit from it? The club is stronger, the team spirit better and hopefully we have solid foundations for the future generations. In the same vein CI have worked ever so hard since the days of Section 3. Great bunch of loyal lads and it is fantastic to see them want to progress and improve. Good luck to them.

so the cat is finally out of the bag!! The postings about CI's finances and Carrick canvassing for a wicket-keeper - makes one wonder about all that money spent over the past 20+ years on professional coaches!!
Clearly the prize is the holy grail of the Section 1 title. And of course it's not just the enormous prize money - it's all the other benefits that flow from being NCU champions such as players in the international "shop window", automatic entry into Europe, etc., etc.!
Of course it has nothing to do with the Abromavitch syndrome of massging the egos of a few guys with a few bob!! of course it's not!!

couple of topical tips . eway STUMPED & THE WICKETKEEPER.my eway yankee is cathredral rock, rodrigo gonzales.issaquah.in step. nap is dee ee williams

A response to several postings:-

I will not be joining the group of mature talented players at Belmont.

With regard to the lack of genuine fast bowlers I've decided to go back to my longer up, bend the back (more wd40)and return to my lean mean bowling machine action of the 1980s.
Two bouncers, a beamer and three dream balls will now be my stock over.
Or should I just bowl six on the spot and let the batsman get himself out!!
Looking forward to another season and maybe taking my 1500 wicket. Wonder who the unfortunate batsman will be!!

RE CIYMS

Has someone missed something here - CIYMS have only been able to offer incentives to players due to the hard work of the young committee and due to gala dinners which as far as I am aware would keep the clubs 'pros' funded for 2 to 3 years. It is not from friendly sponsors. You are more than welcome to come to our next gala dinner - however you would need to be quick as they are normally sold out!

Stop the jealousy lads and the fact is it would be an injustice to NCU cricket if with its facilities at Belmont that CIYMS wasnt a Section 1 club.

Also it is rumoured that they have a South African quickie who will scare a few openers next year.

Dan Marks:

Hi Dan,

No apology required mate..

As i said previously it is up to the clubs themselves as to what they do with their money...though i will maintain that having good facilities is paramount before opening the chequebook to entice players...and to be honest ive never played at CI so i cant comment on their wickets/covers/outfield etc etc though they do have the best clubhouse for sure!

Your right,there are generally more player movements than ever before...the big clubs that have the top top players though will tend to ensure that they are looked after in some manner shape or form!

Good luck to Coops at CI...I was amazed when i heard this story the other day..just always thought he would have finished his career at Carrick...good player and good lad into the bargain!

Russeller

Thanks for all your support guys, it means a lot to hear it! It was good to get some things out in the open about what CI are all about and what we're looking to develop over the next 5, 10, 20 years...

We'll hopefully see you all up at Belmont over the summer either in a playing or social capacity. Good luck to all for the season ahead and make sure to stretch well after the first few winter net sessions - they can be a killer!

Re : Russeller

Apologises, it was the previous Instonian's connection I was getting myself confused with. Was just making the point that many club's squads are made up of players who aren't purely one club men, which is just the nature of cricket these days.