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I've just come from a meeting with Gareth Jenkins Muckamore's Youth Cricket Coaching co-ordinator last night ( I was getting information for this week's cricket article in the Antrim Guardian ) and I was amazed at how structured youth coaching has become. Kids from 5 year old are getting coached on the basics of the game and there are now numerous courses organised by Cricket Ireland / NCU for for helpers and those who want to become qualified coaches. Soon a club like Muckamore will have ten active ECB Level 2 coaches and if this is typical of what's happening at all clubs then cricket will not only grow in the numbers playing the game but the quality of players will keep improving.
This behind the scenes work by Cricket Ireland and the Unions is maybe forgotten about with a lot made of the dream of Test cricket , the inter Pro's but I think we should applaud the governing bodies for putting the structures in place to safeguard the future of the game.
Listening to Gareth last night I realise that coaches are really enjoying these new resources and all want to learn more and move away from "baby sitting" to give youngsters a real love of our game and an ability to play as part of a team.

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION IS LIVE.

Go check it out. All details in the post.
Good luck all.

Prizes for top two!!

Terry
The back page headline on Tuesday's Antrim Guardian was " Anyone ( else) for cricket?" It's an article appealing for exactly the guys you are referring to. I think this has a better chance of succeeding on a " per club basis " .
That way they can make friendships , understand the ethos of the club and get coaching .
The last time we did this appeal in 2012 we got enough interest to be able to start a 5ths and now we hope to be able to start a 6ths.

Neil
I think all the entrants in this year's Irish Senior Cup play Sunday cricket and this now allows other members to get along and support and might draw bigger crowds.
The inter pro's are now part of our calendar and an important cog in the drive for Test cricket . It's worth remembering it was a Ballymena man John Caldwell and his development committee who drew up the first blueprint on developing Ireland as a Test nation. I'm not sure even John and his team expected the successes we have had along the way with World Cups, victories over Test nations, Irish guys captaining county sides, Irish guys playing for and captaining England, Irish Ladies reaching a World Cup, more people playing the game, more coaches, development officers, and a top quality Premier League in all three Unions.

Of course that should have said Sunday, not Saturday. Apologies.

Cricket Ireland pandering to the bigger 'professional' clubs as usual I see.
The second and third rounds of the Irish Senior Cup on a Saturday.
No doubt to make way for insipid, unattended Interpros.
Once was the biggest club competition in Ireland - now just an afterthought.

correction i think it would be very well attended

why doesnt the ncu have an open net session say for two or three nights a week during the winter for 3 or four hours inviting allcomers im sure they would be snapped up by willing clubs and have it at jordanstown i dont think it would be well attended just an idea

What an absolute inspiration to all who love our game. Hope to see you on the pitch in 2016 Sir William Dale

Congratulations to Billy "Bumper" Dale on his 50 seasons as a player in NCU cricket. What must make his achievement all the more remarkable is the fact that the vast majority of his games have been at 1st XI level.

It's interesting that his first game in senior cricket involved 25 overs into a force 8 gale at Eaton Park. Billy also tells us that he's hoping for a back-to-back promotion with Cooke Collegians next summer.

But, Billy, be careful what you wish for. If you do go up again next season, you could end up in 2017 back exactly where you started 51 years previously - bowling into the same force 8 gale at Eaton Park.!!

On behalf of the officers and players of Cregagh CC I would like to pass on our condolences to the family of Ossie Bailie after the end of his great innings.

Despite it being c 70 years since he played at 'Daddy Winkers Lane' Ossie's name is still remembered at Cregagh,indeed he features prominently in a photo of the Senior League winning team that proudly hangs in our club.

I had the good fortune to meet him during our centenary celebrations in 2006 and you could tell even then that he must have been a formidable opponent to play against.

Sad day indeed Carson.
Ossie was a legend throughout Ulster sport and you have captured him beautifully in your tribute. He had a great innings and he'll be remembered throughout Ulster cricket for his competitive spirit and at Ballymena for his outstanding service over many years.
Rest in peace Ossie.

I am sure that cricketers "of a certain vintage" will learn with sorrow of the passing of Ossie Bailie - sportsman of many abilities, soccer, cricket, tennis and more latterly bowls. A remarkable life story playing football with Belfast Celtic, cricket for Cregagh, Ballymena and occasionally Muckamore. I had the experience of captaining a 3rd XI when both he and his late son Gavin were in the side along with a few other Ballymena "characters" of the time. Ossie was always ready to give - but reluctant to receive - advice to and from those guys! Of Ossie it truly can be said "he played the game".

Many of your older readers will be saddened to hear of the death of Ossie Bailie . Ossie passed away in hospital this morning at the age of 92.

While most of his cricket career was spent with Ballymena, Ossie first came to notice as a member of a strong Cregagh side in the late 1940s. He also had a short spell at Muckamore before returning to his home-town club Ballymena in the early 1950s.

For the next 25 years, quite a few on them as captain, Ossie played a huge role in Ballymena's rise from the lower reaches of the Qualifying Leagues to senior cricket. To us at Eaton Park he was a "Brian Close-type" cricketer - a highly-competitive no-frills all-rounder who always seemed to be at his best in tight situations.

Remarkably,one of his last games was the 1974 Senior Cup Final when, at the age of 51, he scored 14 and 17 against the brilliant Waringstown side of that era.

Ossie was a genuine all-round sportsman - a fine soccer goal-keeper for Belfast Celtic, Cliftonville and Ballymena and a lawn tennis player good enough to represent Ulster.

The phrase " we shall never see his like again" is sometimes over-used but I think it is appropriate to-day.
.

Looking forward to cricket season 2016!
Why?
I made my debut for Civil Service C.C. in 1966 away to Ballymena.
Bowled 25 overseas into a force 8 gale and was run out without facing a ball!
I suppose I realised it could only get better!!
Plan for 2016. Back to back promotions for Cooke Collegians.
P.S. I must be the oldest player to win the first team player of the year award!
Cricket like it no I love it!!!!!!

I hope everyone likes our pictorial tribute on the Home Page to North-West and NCU umpires past and present, some great characters never to be forgotten. Over the winter we will do some more pictorial tributes and if you have any at your club send them in and we'll do a club tribute.
Also, we are going to have a pre-Christmas photo competition so watch this space.