Forum

Ivan, if your last sentence is correct perhaps we should start by scrapping the Interprovincials and concentrate on the Premier League as a stepping stone to the national squad! They are a jolly for Leinster because of the Ireland player contracts and the current structure is a waste of time and money.
Neil, I understand your philosophy but most sports are semi or fully professional these days. I'm also sure there's a brown envelope or two in the NI Amateur League which supposedly caters for club football outside the professional game. Unfortunately the 'good old days' have disappeared and we live and play in a different era. I only know the finances of one Premier League club and they registered a trading profit at their AGM two weeks ago for the first time in years. They also did quite well on the pitch so there is a business model that works. Also, I think Waringstown has a genuine club culture, and is one of the lighter spenders. However, at the end of the day every club will do what they think is best for them and that's their prerogative. Good luck to you guys next season.

Michael - I'm not sure what you are reading . Neil and I are on the same page . I believe clubs make decisions based on their own ambitions . Ballymena want to play good club cricket probably in Section One and that's to be applauded.
However it shouldn't stop clubs like CIYMS , Waringstown etc wanting to play a higher standard and if that means bringing top drawer pros I think that's to be equally applauded.
Maybe we need to introduce a licencing system like you have in Football in Northern Ireland . A club can play and win the Champiobship but opt not to play in the Premier league. Ambitious clubs like Ballinamalard emerge and say " we want to play with the big boys ".
We need a strong Premier cricket league to help us develop international players in the NCU area.

Well said Neil fullerton - 100% right

Ivan - oh dear, I don't even know where to start :(

Re Neil Fullerton

You quote 'Not against players who are getting a house, a car and anywhere between 20 and 45 grand to lie about and scratch their rear ends all week and then win cricket matches' - what are you smoking?

All I'm saying is the majority of Ballymena's senior squad want to play against other players at other clubs like themselves - who work five days a week, practice a couple of times, play a match on a Saturday and have a drink in the bar afterwards.

Not against players who are getting a house, a car and anywhere between 20 and 45 grand to lie about and scratch their rear ends all week and then win cricket matches.

We are simply back to the hired gun scenario.
‘Ours is better than yours’ type of thing.
And, as a club, we are glad to have no part of it.
End of.

Neil . Good old fashioned CLUB cricket I think is alive and well in the NCU. Ballymena are a great example. Four Saturday teams and a strong youth set up linked to local schools. There are many other examples of clubs working hard at coaching kids , spending money on grounds etc. There was a great post on here the other week about Ards ambitious plans and Jeff Maguire at Dundrum recently posted about the work on an off the field they are doing.

However the cricket landscape has changed. Ireland in 2016 will play South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Roll back 10 to 15 years to see who the opponents were.
To keep up with this the infrastructure of club cricket needed to change and that meant adding a semi professional Inter Pro set up and now we need a proper Premier League where the best players both local and overseas play.
The current system allows any club to make there way into that Elite group and Ballymena played there for many season and I'm sure people like Michael Glass enjoyed testing himself against the best batsmen and the likes of Janes and David Kennedy enjoyed proving they could score runs against the best bowlers.
As I see it Ireland will get stronger , the Inter Pro series will get stronger and the Premier League will get stronger and below that there will be stronger, healthier old fashioned CLUB cricket with more people playing , more coaches , better facilities .
I think clubs then have a choice and that's for their players, officials , spectators and sponsors to decide - do we want to play good competitive CLUB cricket or do we want to play in the PREMIER league.
Those clubs with no ambitions to play in the PREMIER league and the funding and commitment that entails should then encourage any "gems" they discover to go and play at a PREMIER club and test themselves against the best and then be proud of their achievements and hope they go on to play against South Africa or Australia and if it doesn't work out come back at worst a better player.
I think cricket is healthy but it does need us all to realign our thinking to the realities of where we are now compared to 10 to 15 years ago.

It is great to see so many quality pros being signed for next season as well as the likes of Sorenson now coming to play in the NCU. Surely this can only help the standard of young cricketers getting to play with and against players of this quality.

You only have to turn on the TV to watch Van Der Dussen who played recently in NI with CIYMS to see the standard of these pros.

Should make for a competitive 2016.

... and thank God for that, Sam.
I can assure you.
The cricketers of Ballymena CC are glad to be out of the rat race for a while.
Bring back good old-fashioned CLUB cricket

Lovely happy cricket photos on your home page. Keep them coming as cricket is a fun sport and it is good to see so many people enjoying it.

Neil, no need to be fearful. You and your club are unlikely to suffer from the effects of this new law ! ! !

Some time down the line I fear there will be a new law in NCU cricket.

A33 reads: Only two players not normally resident in South Africa may play in league or cup competitions for a club in the Premier League, at least one of whom must be qualified to play for Ireland.

Back into my room quickly turning, all my soul within me burning
yet still the tapping, somewhat louder than before,
again, although uncertain, a faint rustle at my curtain
then the tapping more profane, now upon my window pane,
this mystery I must explore, so I will be pained no more!

Quickly, I flung back the shutter and without fuss or flutter,
in there stepped a black duck, from the days of yore,
not the least embarrassed was he, despite this blatant harass on me
then jumped onto my settee, and then onto the floor,
as it stood there staring, with beady eyes towards me, glaring,
said I, "What is thy name" ?
Quacked back the duck, just the word, "Nevermore"!

Then me thought is it a prophet, sent to warn me, it's time to to stop it"
so closer, I did draw, "Tell me duck, don't be a bore"!
even closer reclining, thinking and divining,
"Will a century I ever score"?
Quacked back the duck, "Not now nor nevermore!"

Ah, this bird it made me furious, yet still, I grew more curious,
was it some tempter sent to tempt me?
This ghastly duck, I really was beginning to abhor!
Again, I engaged it into guessing, if I was ever destined,
"Perhaps a fifty score"? Again the reply, " Not now nor nevermore! "

Crazy, yet more crazy I was going, but I had to keep on knowing,
"Quaff oh Quaff, prey tell and don't say, "Nevermore"!
Take thy bill from my heart's core and thy form straight out my door,
leave me for it is late, dare not stop to even close the gate!
and is it always a Duck, I am to score ? "
“Quack oh Quack," replied he, " You're spot on there mate"
and then vanished into the night, to leave me lamenting,
for now...And evermore !

As the witching hour is almost upon us, what better time to exhume one of my former works from the vaults of my library, but be warned, those of a nervous disposition or weak heart should read no further !

Once upon a midnight eerie, while I pondered weak and weary,
over score books dreadfully dreary, from the season past and before,
then I nodded nearly napping, when suddenly a tapping
as if someone gently rapping, rapping at my door,
"Tis just the wind, only this and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember, the cricket all as was September
and at my fire-side, flames cast shadows o'er the floor,
eagerly I wished the morrow, for these books brought only sorrow
as no runs did I score, none this season nor none before,
at my name always a zero, always this and nothing more!

Again the tapping at my door, rapping, tapping as before
then terror gripped, my nerves tore,
as now I stood there, heart fast beating
wondering who could be entreating,
entrance at my door, or was it my imagination,
maybe this and nothing more?

Presently my soul grew stronger, hesitating no longer
"Sir or Madame, truly your forgiveness, I implore,
but the fact is I was napping, when you came rapping
so scarcely I heard you tapping, tapping at my door"
and now I'll open onto you, only darkness there, nothing more ?

Deep into this darkness, I stood peering, wondering, fearing
dreaming dreams, no mortals dared dream before,
and the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token
was it some ghostly apparition, for adding to my suspicion,
when meekly I called out, “Someday will I ever make a decent score"?
Came back the echo, "Nevermore"!

Ards Cricket Club is on the lookout for new players for the 2016 season, not only at the senior level, but also for our U11, U13, U15 and U17 sides. If you have just moved to the Newtownards area, or are looking to take up cricket for the first time, why not look us up?

Based at a brilliant new complex at Londonderry Park – including a fantastic new pavilion, new high quality square, two astro-turf pitches, a new fully enclosed batting/net practice area, and scoring building – our ultimate aim is to bring proper senior cricket to Ards for the first time, be considered a centre of excellence for youth cricket within five years, and a progressive, forward thinking club. To this end, Ards CC plans to invest in, and improve, the playing facilities further in the near future.

With seven ECB qualified coaches, from Level 1 to Level 3, we are committed to providing opportunities for the young people from all backgrounds in the Newtownards area.

All players welcome, regardless of ability and experience. For more information about the club please see our website at www.ards.hitscricket.com. For further information please contact Hon. Secretary Rab Dunn rabdunn@yahoo.co.uk.

Bangor Cricket Club is looking to attract a locally based cricketer for the 2016 season to fulfil both playing and coaching roles within the club.

We would expect the player to assume a leading 1st XI role on the field and to manage and coordinate all aspects of training and coaching throughout the week, culminating in match day build-up and preparation.

Coaching duties would extend to our Youth Section, to assist with and contribute towards the ongoing and continued development of our young cricketers.

An ECB accredited coaching qualification would be desirable, although not essential.

A remuneration package will be offered, details of which can be obtained, along with any other queries by contacting Chris Yeates on 07816 777382 or chrisyeates@btinternet.com

Closing date for expressing interest - Friday 20th November 2015