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A load of nonsense is being spouted here about the Junior Task Force proposals at the NCU AGM. Firstly the task force was made up entirely of people currently playing and in the main captaining sides at Junior level. Secondly we held 3 roadshows attended by over 80% of the clubs and the soundings from those were then taken to draft the final proposals. The working proposals were on the NCU website and the final proposals were circulated prior to the AGM and we then got 100% support on the night. I don't know what else we could have done. We took a grown up approach knowing that we wouldn't please everyone but I think our stance was vindicated by the support on the night. I really don't know what more we could have done. We were supported at the roadshows by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Director of Development of the Union and we then consulted with Dr Murray Power in drawing up the final proposals to make sure the wording refelected the spirit of what we wanted to achieve. As for the decision to place league 3.1 ABOVE 2.3, I think that is a common sense decision once we got the support for straight through leagues. Straight through leagues allow the stronger clubs more junior teams to find a competitive level without a false ceiling.
My understanding is that that decision doesn't need to be voted on at the AGM but if it had to be I would have had no problem proposing it on the behalf of the Task Force and again am confident it would have been passed. This matter was well discussed at the roadshows. Again a lot of armchair critics. Why not get off your backsides and make a contribution to next years Task Forces.
sorry Jim - did I miss something? how many did Mr. Cricket end up with? I wish I could have batted like him! And yes Dazzler - last Saturday was great crack - but then it always is when aul' lads start recalling the good old days. Still don't know the result but I think Lurgan won!!
Andy Kennedy - great day last saturday!!!!
Ashes
I'm loving the score at the minute loved reading the papers yesterday-will enjoy today and cant wait until tomorrow after 143-5 turned into 480 odd for the aussies. Wont be too many "We're favourites for the ashes now" from the english media. According to all the bookmakers England never were favourites( Jeff i think Ozzies 10/11 and eng 2/1 for the series) but the english media had England as favourites and an easy win.
However still alot of cricket to be played.
andy k still anti english i see.
I heard Nasser's comment last night too, and that was during the long Anderson spell where Hussey couldnt get bat on ball, he actually looked like u when you bat. Broad and Finn also had them tied down. get off your soapbox and change the record
to be fair to Roy Young - nowhere in his postings does he say that he is a member of, or speak on behalf of the Ards club. Sometimes people just want to read what suits them. If one follows Neil's logic then the forum will become sterilised. It is clear that some clubs have placed an embargo on anyone exercising their right to free speech but there are some who have the cohanes to put their head over the parapet. I know that the decision taken at the NCU AGM wasn't to everyone's taste but we are where we are. Funny enough, on travels around several cricket dinners this year I heard a wee whisper that not all club reps voted in line with club thinking - but it might just be rumour!
come out of the closet?! What exactly are you advocating here Clarence!! Also please remember that the "closet" means something entirely different up here in icy Buckna!! On a different tack & I know that I incurred the wrath of certain "anonymous" England supporters when I commented on the English media but something on Sky this morning really takes the biscuit. At approx. 12:30 a.m., with the Aussies on 258/5 Nasser Hussain asked Shane Warne if he thought that "on balance England had bowled better yesterday!" This must go down as a real "Colemanballs" for those of us old enough to remember. The English media - don't you just love them!!
Don't sit on the fence Neil and tell us what you really think mate!
I'm 99% behind your sentiments but too often we look at the messenger and not the message so it is not totally black and white. Some people don't put their name to issues because the personal stuff follows hot and heavy. That said, I appeal to posters to come out of the closet and if you are not speaking for your club then make it clear in your posting. I think that's the main issue as some people don't have a club mandate but they still have an opinion and we should respect it. Whether they need to name themselves to earn that respect is another matter.
Mr Editor,
You state you will not publish e-mails under pseudonyms. So do what you state and dont publish their e-mails
A pseudonym is a fictitious name assumed by an individual to conceal his or her identity.
If these people do not have the courage to put in their name to it, shame on them.
What have they to hide. What are they afraid of?
If you want to say something, have some guts and put your real name to your e-mail.
Otherwise, I would ask them to look up the definition of coward and pathetic because that is what they are.
Junior Task force.
The issue of the restructuring of leagues was discussed at length within the meetings and within the roadshows. The purpose of the new league is to enable all teams from a 2nd XI to in some cases 6thXI to find their level and play competitive cricket throughout the season.
The feedback and responses to the structure which included placing the top teams in the old 3:1 above the lower teams in the old 2:3 was favourable and agreed that the standard of cricket is higher.
This will only be made clear once the season starts and progresses. Im not saying what has been proposed is the final answer and there are clearly going to be issues with teams in the appropiate league but i would ask clubs to give it a go and the old format was going nowhere and clubs were playing the same standard of cricket against the same clubs and there was limited development.
In general can we at least see how it works before completely shooting it down.
Slight correction -
Division 3 Section 1 teams will be placed above the teams from the bottom half of Division 2 Section 3.
The top three sections in the Junior League will comprise entirely of second XI's
Hopefully it will all make sense once all the competition entries are in!
Re the anonymous posters and Noel
The Junior Cricket Taskforce Report
(available here: http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2010/news/articles/article69.shtml)
and presumably discussed at the various roadshows around the country recommended that teams that would normally be in the old Division 3 Section 1 be placed above those in Division 2 Section 3.
RE- WAR
Completely agree, to many non playin/never were committee men playing havoc, this nonsense needs addressed and those responsible need removed from their positions
There is NO doubt it was sneeked through the back door
The junior clubs need to organise themselves and sort it out at next years AGM
If clubs in general were more proactive rather than reactive then these issues would not arise. Perhaps those who are so disgruntled by this decision can confirm that their club fully co-operated with the task force during the consultancy period…
Good post WAR and very likely a correct reading of the meeting on the night.
Re 2nd paragraph of W McKinty posting 25th November
Where in the serials passed at the recent NCU AGM does it allow for the placing of the old Div 3 Section 1 above any part of Div 2 Section 3.
This type of action was certainly not implied or communicated by the proposers of serials at the AGM.
Position and progress of teams/clubs should be gained ON the field of play and certainly not by arbitary decisions of individuals/committees or so we are led to believe.
Obviously some people can`t wait to gain promotion in the "normal fashion"
Many thanks Wylie, I look forward to seeing the new structure when its available.
For the record - I think its great that these changes are coming in for Junior level cricket.
