Barrier Daily Truth

Keep cricket alive

Thursday, 9th February, 2012

KEEN: Junior cricketers Harrison Rynne (5), Scott Gimbert (11) and Jordan Rynne (8) are looking forward to a big year.

By Darrin Manuel

The city’s year 5 and 6 students may have no cricket competition by 2013 unless the sport receives more support, according to BH Primary Cricket Association (BHPCA) president Dale Dwyer.

The warning comes as the BHPCA prepares to combine its registration day, coaching clinics and Annual General Meeting at the Norm Fox Oval on Saturday.

Mr Dwyer said that only five teams nominated for the year 5 and 6 hardball season last year, and the competition could be threatened if the poor showing continued.

“Our statistics from last year’s registrations show that next year we may be lucky to have any hardball competition unless we can get more kids involved,” he said.

Mr Dwyer said cricket’s dwindling popularity was a concern in all grades and had prompted the BHPCA to work more closely with the Barrier District Cricket League (BDCL) to boost the sport’s profile.

“Cricket is declining in Broken Hill in all grades and together with (BDCL’s) Peter Johnson and Denis Watts we have been looking to work together with the two associations to really promote the game.

“Our Association now attends their meetings and they attend ours and we help each other when ever possible.”

The upcoming AGM will see members from both associations meet with parents and supporters of the sport to shape its future.

Some of the topics to be discussed include raising the hardball age limit, better aligning the junior cricket season with the senior competition, and the possibility of holding the Academy, Junior and Lightning competitions at the Norm Fox with the hardball games.

The prospect of holding all games at the Norm Fox rather than having the younger grades at the Picton Oval appears to be of particular benefit.

“We trialled this successfully for one game last year and it allowed for better canteen and toilet facilities,” Mr Dwyer said.

“With the dwindling number we now believe there is room for all games to be held at the Norm Fox and will vote on whether we make this change.”

He said he hoped to see a good showing of parents at the AGM who may be able to volunteer some time now or in the future.

“While the kids are occupied we’ll have our AGM and hopefully parents will stay. It’s where important decisions will be made on the future of junior cricket.

“We would really welcome any parents to come and assist where possible. At this stage we anticipate most positions will be filled this year but also recognise that a lot of the parents currently coaching and filling executive positions will have children moving to under 14ís next year and leaving the primary association.”

Mr Dwyer said he hoped there would be enough interest at the meeting to ensure that the Association could set up succession plans for a number of positions and ensure the competition runs smoothly well into the future.

All sports inquiries and results can be directed to Darrin at the BDT by phoning 8087 2354 or via email to: dmanuel@bdtruth.com.au