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Dont understand the theory behind how an initiative such as RDOs would only improve the bigger clubs!
Advantages to all clubs would be an increased player base at their clubs and improved school/club links.
Whilst you can never stop young players moving clubs, I would have thought that improvements in youth structures within these smaller clubs would mean that young players would be less likely to have to move to another club.
On behalf of all at North Down, I'd like to pass on my condolences to Rowland White, whose wife Elizabeth died yesterday.
Our thoughts are with you Rowland, Richard, Andrew and Alison during this very sad time.
John Ross. Fair comment. Maybe some sort of sliding scale dependent on leagues / number of teams etc. But in principle Robin's is a sound idea and surely local councils have grants for such initatives.
Ivan - Fair enough. But the point I was making is why would a small club pay 3k to help a bigger club, paying the same amount, poach the best players from their catchment area? If I was a member of a small club I certainly wouldnt be voting to shell out to help the strong get stronger!
Robin Haire. Brilliant idea.
John Ross.The best clubs will get the best players anyway ( and why shouldn't they ).
Robin - good idea in theory but I could see problems whereby the bigger club (like yours) would take the pick of the best from all schools in the region and leave the likes of Ards with the dregs!
taito, who are the other matches against?
Re : Robin Haire
Robin I think your idea would definately be the first step in the right direction for all NCU clubs. I am sure some people will look to pick holes in the concept, i.e. those clubs who do have "pros" to coach firstly and play secondly, would they continue to do this? However, I think that all the NCU clubs should look to come together, recognise the problems and issues most clubs have, then we will be able to push forward as one and make our union grow in strength once again.
MAYBE THE WAY FORWARD.
clubs located closely like north down saintfield downpatrick holywood ards donaghadee bangor get together and employ a regional coach who works under the nica banner all year round.
each club to nominate their 4 or 5 schools where they want cricket promoted.
cost to each club approx.2 to 3000 per year.regional coach to be managed by head of nica in liason with one rep. from each club involved.
i am not sure if people are aware of the upcoming festival of cricket at downpatrick cricket club? some of the details are below:
The Air India cricket team will be the main focal point during the up and coming Festival of Cricket at Downpatrick, between 28th July and 9th August 2008.
The team consists of some of the best cricketers in India, who are enjoying a short break, following their participation in the fast and furious Indian Premier League.
They will spend ten days at Downpatrick, during an action packed festival of cricket, coaching young cricketers from across Northern Ireland and playing seven Twenty20 matches in all.
The Irish International side have jumped at the chance to play such high quality opponents. Ireland will play the Indian Airlines team in a Twenty20 match at Downpatrick on Friday 1st August, ahead of their World Cup qualifying games.
The Air India team is led by Jagadeesh Arun Kumar (Jak), the former Downpatrick professional. Jak left Downpatrick this season to play in the highly prestigious Indian Premier League, but couldn’t wait to return to “The Meadow” at Downpatrick where he has enjoyed so many lucrative seasons.
Anyone seeking more information should contact:
Audrey Hanna
Event Manager
EMail: twenty20@downpatrickcricketclub.com
Tel: 07720 709559
Kindly supported by:
Down District Council
Flixx Graphics
PM Autos
Flowers by Tracey
Devnirs Hotel
re my ealier posting - my point was in relation to pros who made a lasting impact at their clubs - the late John Solanky, Kamal merchant and Mankad spring to mind - not sure that there are many more but I am willing to hear of others - I certainly recall loads of carpetbaggers who were clearly here for the money, drink and "related activities" only! I would also remind Paul that Kiran more didn't play all that often for Ballymena 1s - he only got a game when JRW Boyce wasn't available!!
Wayne
I agree with a lot of your points. The cricketers you mentioned would all be excellent cricketers in any decade. The quality of the good players is not the issue, it is the quantity. We simply do not have enough good players. Too many teams are carrying players who get exposed when you go up a level.
The question is how do you develop young cricketers to the point where they strengthen senior clubs? (The schools used to do that job.)
I believe the NCU has it the wrong way round. The Challenge Cup should have the Pros and the 20/20 should be for U23s only, no pros. With proper promotion and decent prize money it might be the answer.
Interesting debate about the use of Pros and the standard of cricket. You could harp on for months on the same topic and everybody would make valid points. My view for what it is worth.
1. The NCU has undoubtedly not covered itself in glory over the last number of years in the Irish Cup and on pure stats there is certainly work to do in order to improve that performance. That may be an understatement perhaps! Good luck to Donemana in the semis. Lets hope 2009 sees a NCU team in the final.
2. Is the standard in the NCU worse than previously? It is hard to answer that again because you are not comparing like with like and unless you have played in all eras you are not really qualified to comment. The game has changed a lot. Pitches have improved meaning it is easier to bat and harder for bowler, the game has higher scores due to more aggressive batting (flip side worse bowling) and also 5 bowlers instead of 2 of 3 historically etc etc. What I would say is that in the likes of Kyle, Whitey, Ryan Eagleson, Gary Wilson you have players of the highest quality in Ireland who have proved or are proving themselves to be able to compete at the next level. There are some fantastic talents coming through - Kidd, Thompson, Stirling, Hall, Shannon to name a few and the NCU will probably provide a high percent of the Irish side in years to come. Something must be working!
3.The professional debate. Again only going by my own experience in Ewen Thompson we have a fantastic hard working professional who puts in a phenomenal effort in coaching our kids and our club is benefitting from this and hopefully in 3-4 years we will see the Mcmorrans, Harknesses,Beverlands, Heaneys, McCombes, Hodgins etc that Ewen has been instrumental in coaching coming through to be the future 1st XI. It is up to each club how they use professionals but one thing is in Ireland we need professional coaches to progress the game. Seeing these guys play and perform well in our local competitions attracts coverage to the game and to be honest the standard would be worse than what people are suggesting without them (look at the crowds Raza gets and the talk about Strydom at Lisburn)
The key thing in any debate is how to progress to something constructive and getting some action as opposed to words. I am not close enough to the work that the development officers do but they need all the help and support they can get from unions, players, ex players, schools etc etc to try and promote cricket. In terms of the competitions I know a document is in circulation (i have to confess to not reading it) but some form of inter-pro needs to come back or an all ireland league play off for top couple of teams from each union.
In the meantime lets hope it drys up and a few games get played.
This is not about NW v NCU. NW has stronger roots in the community and has not been as adversely affected by the decline in schools cricket. It has its own problems which I won't go into here.
This has nothing to do with what club I play for or in which team. I am seen as an NCU man in the North West and a North West man in the NCU. I don't care. I just want to see Ulster cricket improve.
I want to see a stronger NCU. Twenty years ago Ballymena and Holywood swapped positions on a regular basis as the best side in Section 2 and the worst side in Section 1. The Ballymena team included Jimmy Ireland, Alaisair McKee, Alan and Neville Neill, Adrian Goodrich, Michael Burton, Wilfie Ridge and Kieran More. Holywood had Simon Burrows, John Kerstens, Rickie Adair, Michael Shannon, Billy McCormick and Mike Bailey. Those sides today would be competing at the top of the NCU and are better than at least 6 or 7 section 1 teams.
We need to get real here. Things are not all rosy in the garden. Never mind what is happening in the LCU or the NWCU. Year on year cricket in the NCU is declining in standard and we wonder why attendances are down.
Things aren't totally negative. Talented youngsters are being spotted earlier and fast tracked to success. However we need them in greater numbers. I would prefer people to be talking about suggestions to move the game forward and to set some achievable goals.
Must agree with Rodney and Noel on the professional debate. Standards are not improving in either region, which is a concern. A lot of work is put in by the professionals, both within their club and local surrounding primary and secondary schools.
In the majority of cases professionals are doing a sound job for the game, however the utilization of the professional is a responsibility for each individual club - they must ensure that their club is doing their bit to promote and improve the game in their area.
However, as Noel states, further investment must be made into the game at a regional level, to compliment and improve on the work that professionals are doing, especially during the winter months.
