Forum

Wilfy,

Ok so Dandekar is coming over on a sports visitors visa to play cricket for no money and just visit our great country after being declined a tier 5 visa to play as a professional for Muckamore? (He cannot offer coaching services even for free under that visa)

I'm also struggling to understand how the cloney pro is going to be registered by the NCU given he is clearly making a living from the game and will be coaching which again he cannot do under the SVV.

i feel sorry for both pros that were rejected but Lurgan and Armagh Were aware of the rules on the matter, 7 other clubs also offered reminders...

NCU should reject these standard visitors visas to avoid any controversy, like I said before things could get very messy.

Wilfy
I think there may be a bit of winding up going on in your post. The ncu surely could not accept the registration of dandekar as an amateur under a standard visitor visa when he was initially applying For a tier 5 professional visa? Therefore admitting he is a professional cricketer and in breach of the standard visitor visa rules. So whether he gets that visa or not the ncu would know he is in breach of the visa. Can't happen surely. Since I have injured my knee it will not affect me this season but I just cannot grasp clubs trying to get around these new laws it's not ideal for all the clubs not having primarily a Cosch but get on with it and play eleven locals against eleven locals for this season. Even playing field.

I would like to express my sympathy to the Wiseman Family upon the sad news of the passing of Jim Wiseman.
Jim was a gentleman whom I held in high regard. I regularly chatted to him about cricket whilst travelling to work on train and he was a very pleasant and kind man. He was also an excellent umpire and as Paddy stated in his piece on Cricket Ireland officiated at many matches. It was always good as a scorer to have him in middle as he appreciated your job and the work that you and your fellow scorers put in.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family and indeed Lisburn CC at this very sad time.

Due to a cry off. Muckamore 2nds are able to host any section 2 or 3 clubs and any 2nd eleven on sat this week. And clubs looking a friendly contact Richard keates on 07790005260

As an ex pupil of CIYMS Chris Beattie can i offer my thoughts with all at ciyms and the cntire beattie family. Chris was an absolute gentleman throughout my time at school and also after on the pitch playing against him. Enjoyed a few pints with him also. Terrible loss

My point was that some teams that have decided to abide by the law were breaking the law for years

But at least NCU have made a statement on who can play as an amateur under the visitor visa and it will be great to see Dandekar back playing for Lurgan
However a bit disappointed for Niranjan being blocked after 15 years of promoting cricket in the Lurgan area
Ps
As for breaking the law ! I would love to see the PAYE records for all clubs in the NCU.

As usual the NCU have shown no leadership on the overseas issue. These guys have played in this country for over a decade and now they aren't eligible because of their first class careers that ended in the early 2000s. At least the NCU committee men that led the meetings got their way in the end.

NCU Statement on Home Office Visa Applications & Player Registration
NCU Domestic Cricket Directorate
Statement from Neil Matthews on behalf of the NCU Domestic Cricket Directorate

"Within the past two weeks, the Union has been made aware that the Home Office is interpreting 'professional cricketer' as including anyone who has ever played First-Class cricket, regardless of how long ago, or how many or few times. In these circumstances, the Union has concluded that it cannot permit the registration of any such player who is in the United Kingdom on a Standard Visitor Visa."

"Clubs should understand that if a registered player has his SVV revoked for reasons of which a club was, or should have been aware, then the Union is likely to consider the Club to have committed a disciplinary offence for which the potential penalties are set out in the Disciplinary Bye-laws."

Wilfy

We're going round in circles here, it is not a legitimate visa to coach and play cricket that's the problem! Those who have bought overseas are not on a level playing field with those who have decided to abide by the law.

You cannot argue that what these clubs are doing is illegal and it is a shame for NCU cricket as a whole, I can only see this ending badly.

I cannot help but feel that if this was a premier league matter the issue would have been resolved a lot sooner.

Colin - many years ago and in a different dispensation, if the Government were considering changes to legislation, the draft proposals were promulgated to the various agencies for comment with regard to the feasibility of enforcement. The Regulations, as I understand and read them, apply to all 'adult' cricket. The situation that I see it is that CI want everybody to play to the same Regulations so that there is a seamless change between playing League cricket & the Inter-Pros. The fact that this applies to only approx. 10% of all players seems to have escaped the legislators. Two 4th XIs playing social cricket without official umpires may have a different view but we are where we are.

Pot stirrers
To call a guy who has entered the country with a legitimate visa an "illegal immigrant " sounds a bit racist to me !
Next thing we know he will be looking the NCU to punish Muckamore for using an "illegal immigrant" to gain promotion last year , or for a matter of fact Derriaghy the year before . Maybe punish Academy for using an "illegal immigrant " to gain promotion to section 1 a few years ago !!
Or what about the run rate saga between Laurelvale and Saintfield , when Saintfield in the end gained promotion even though they had an "illegal immigrant " playing that year !
Maybe if the pot stirrer put as much time coaching at schools and at their own clubs as the so called "illegal immigrants " , there would be no need for clubs to look abroad

Re Andy - first warning.

Andy at all levels?

There is enough lack of knowledge in junior, underage and indeed senior umpiring (from players), as it stands, Niacuas are to be commended for running winter roadshows, i hope all clubs took advantage of the offer to learn.

Ed and George,

NCU have shown no leadership on this issue. In fact, have kopped out of making any decision on it. As a result, the league below their premier league is in complete disarray! It is farcical. It is 2 weeks to the first fixtures!

All this focus on first class cricket I think has distracted them from governing their leagues. Subsequently this season they will be allowing two/three illegal immigrants to register in an NCU league. Try explaining that to the border forces when they come knocking on your door! And the fact you know they are here illegally has you with not a leg to stand on!

The NCU are in for a surprise this week. I hope the emergency committee have a clear diary!

Ed..

Your response to Senior One Player advises to leave it to the NCU. I am a premier League player and can understand this Senior One Players anger. Why if 90% of clubs are agreeing to not bringing a pro over, would they not be annoyed if these clubs are 'breaking the law' to gain an unfair advantage against them.

I can't see the NCU wanting to get involved in this. A firm ruling on this should have been set out at the start of the year when advised strict laws will be in force that these overseas players for section 1 would not be registered.

So sad to hear the news that my friend and club mate Chris Beattie passed away today after a battle with MND. A player, committee member and great person to be around and someone who will be sadly missed beyond Belmont, especially with a new season upon us. Chris is a massive loss to CI but more so to Lesley, Jack and Sam and my thoughts are with them tonight. Sleep well my friend.