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July and August is also peak holiday season, which can also have an effect!

Our 3rd XI chose to not have many fixtures for the first few weeks of the season, but this has led to older and younger players coming down to practice and getting frustrated at not getting much cricket.

Surely with teams in the Junior Leagues arranging their own fixtures, surely each club should have a fixture list which best suits them!

does the NCU have a view on whether Twitter or Facebook would be regarded as "public"?

Re: Neill Fullerton...

Neil mate, as a Adult 3rd/4th IX cricketer may I, as suspected ridicule your Idea...

In a nutshell, if you don't have enough players, then don't enter a Team...

Senior leagues are not there simply to facilitate 'schoolboys' - that's what the schoolboy leagues and cups are for...

Oh and by the way, I believe your 4th IX under the excellent stewardship of Colin completed their entire league program last year finishing a close second...!
I believe there was more than the mere 14 games this year as well ?

Is there anything else I can ridicule for you :-)

This is just an idea which I believe may stop some clubs dropping their lowest team this winter and 3rd and 4th XI cricket becoming a thing of the past.

Only play 3rd and 4th XI cricket in the months of July and August.

I can hear the howls of protest already but it's just an idea (which could be tweaked) so hear me out.

The majority of NCU clubs struggle to put 3rd and 4th XIs on the field in April, May and June - some can't event field 1st and 2nd XIs - so why not ease the pressure on selection committees and team captains during the first third of the season when players are thin on the ground.

The Thirds and Fourths at my club - Ballymena - play in Junior 4 and 7. That's 14 leagues games each summer. Although I don't think they've actually played a full campaign for various reason for about five years.

That would be 8 Saturday games and 6 shorter 25/30 overs games scheduled midweek throughout the two months.

The tweaks I mentioned earlier could be two 3rd XI games and two 4th XI games in May and June - obviously on alternate Saturdays.

Therefore the Thirds and Fourths at any club don't have to play on the same weekend until July when all schoolboys are free of schools cricket and, more importantly, exams.

The delay would also see the availibility of all students for whatever team they are good enough to be selected for.

I know many adult 3rd and 4th XI players will ridicule this idea, but surely a more structured and patient fixture list would avoid the frustrations and annoyance felt by many looking forward to games that are called off by opponents who can't get teams.

As I said, only an idea, but it might just work.

im playing but if i was not playing i would gladly help out

umpire shortage as i posted before if clubs dont put people forward to help out or do the umpires course its easy dont give them umpires on match days simple.I see a lot of games not being played as clubs unable to field teams is it a case of the firsts have their team sod the rest of the teams sort it yourself and hard luck if they take someone from the seconds and then the knock on effect on 3rds and 4ths happens

Re Norman Browne

Thank you Jonathan for your kind words regarding my Uncle Norman. I will convey your comments to the various other family members. It is comforting to know that he was well thought of by his colleagues and friends in cricket.

The Officers and Members of NIACUS would like to offer their most sincere sympathy to the Browne Family upon the death of our friend and colleague Norman who sadly passed away on Wednesday. Norman was a great friend and member of NIACUS and we were delighted to see him at our recent dinner. He will be sadly missed as one of the characters in local cricket. He will be buried on Saturday 26th at Roselawn at 11.30am. We hope that his family will be comforted by our thoughts and prayers.

So first proper south down local derby of the season tomorrow in the sunshine. The 'meadow' should be looking in great shape. All set for the usual tight game and a bit of banter no doubt. Looking forward to it and to see how the new pro shapes up for us.

ref Robin Haire advising us to take a visit to Waringstown. I did just that in a match last year and found the Lawn a lovely place to play. However they maybe have a lot of facilities, but as a member of a visiting team with schoolboys who played cricket in the morning, I was a bit miffed when they didnt offer any tea after first innings was over, so their tea making facilities are obviously not up to scratch!

Neale

I dont see why you have decided to align your comments towards my club when discussing this matter, I was merly offering my own personal opinion, gleaned from previous experiences. Indeed I hold no position within our current youth structure, except that of a supporter who watches and encourages when possible.

However Armagh C.C is and always will be totally committed to providing and encouraging youth cricket and has always punched above its weight in all competitions, a committment we are currently making with no professional coach or paid "development officers"

But to pretend cricket is thriving at any level is pulling the wool over our eyes.

Sad to see the withdrawal of PSNI from League Section 3. Made and played with a lot of good friends at Newforge over the years. Hopefully you guys will get back soon. Good luck with the rest of your season in midweek and Twenty20..

RE: RYAN McCARTER

As regards the thinking behind the increase in cricket, this was published in general terms in various websites. It was then provided in written form to all clubs. The NCU then held a roadshow to which all clubs were invited. This consisted of a presentation, discussion stage and question and answer session. In the event the proposed changes to the league structure was agreed unanimously by those present. Whilst there was generally a good turnout sadly there was no representation from some clubs including Armagh CC. If the editor will permit I have copied the 'flyer' below:-
YOUTH CRICKET
PROPOSED CHANGES
The Youth Committee has recently met to consider a number of issues that have been raised regarding cricket at under age level. In short:-
• That there is too little competitive cricket
• That teams are discouraged from entering competition or remaining in competitions if they find they are ‘out of their depth’
• That the NCU representative teams are not as competitive as they once were
• That the league system has become somewhat ‘stale’
• The perennial problem regarding the different age group qualification in the NCU as compared with the rest of Ireland.
We have taken the views of league officials, team coaches, interested parents and representative coaches. This was by no means everyone with an interest in or input into youth cricket. Nevertheless it has allowed us to put together an outline plan for the future of the youth game –
1. A new entry level league for ‘new’ teams, returning teams, ‘B’ teams and teams who would benefit from playing at an entry level – likely to consist of around 8-10 teams.
2. Current regional-based structure to remain for 2012 – likely to consist of 4 groups of 5 teams with 8 league matches on a home and away basis. (20 teams)
3. A system of relegation/promotion for 2013 and thereafter – with a definite aim to reduce the first division to 16 teams (two sections of 8 teams) with similar numbers in the second division.
4. Teams from both divisions in the Graham Cup.
5. League age qualification to remain as is – the school year.
6. Graham Cup age qualification to change to the September 1st date as with the rest of Ireland.
It is hoped to introduce a number of changes this season particularly in relation to under 15 cricket, with the intention of rolling out the new format to under 11 and under 13 cricket the following season. Therefore this meeting should be of interest to those involved in ALL age groups.
With this in mind we would invite everyone with an interest in the future of the youth game in the NCU to attend a meeting at Derriaghy CC on 6th December at 8pm.
It is important to emphasise the ‘outline plan’ is not ‘set in stone’. We are genuinely anxious to not only inform but to be informed, and will very much welcome your views.
NCU - YOUTH COMMITTEE

I'm afraid the existing system was not meeting the needs and challenges of club, players and the NCU. It was 'broke'.

The changes have already resulted in a greater number of teams participating.

Senior cricket may have reduced in the number of games - but are you seriously suggesting 8 league matches over an entire summer is "too much" cricket.

In making the changes we have provided the opportunity for greater inclusion, competition and participation.It is up to the clubs as to whether or not they take this opportunity. I would suggest if a club sees youth cricket as an inconvenience they will not. However,if they see the youth as an asset to be developed then I believe they will grasp same.

Some good comments lately Ivan, personally i would like to see clubs facilities and grounds improved before they are allowed to spend10s of thousands on overseas or local player payments, although i realise this would be impossible to govern.
Having recently retired from senior cricket i have had the privilege of playing or visiting many clubs throughout ireland over the last 35 years and have noticed that many clubs grounds, bar, toilet and changing facilities are totally unacceptable, yet these clubs don't seem to have a problem in paying out 10 to 20k per year on an overseas player plus others.
Progression in a club's facilities are vital for crickets future, anyone looking to know how it should be done take a visit to a little village called Waringstown some Saturday afternoon.

Interested to read the varied musings on Youth Cricket in the NCU area. It seems there are more and more distractions at this time of year (revision) making it hard to field teams let alone travel to away games, unfortunately this is devaluing many cup competitions.

I would like to know the thinking behind playing more U15 league cricket- if its not broke dont fix it, the previous league format worked well for as long as I can remember. Which is in direct contrast to what is being done at the top level of our game (Premier league, less teams, less matches) Play the regional league as it was, winners progressing to knock-out stages, introduce a League Cup as well as the Graham Cup.

Schools cricket is also struggling so the problems faced are not unique to clubs.