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Tim and Wayne,
I think you both know my views on the demise of Queen's cricket and you may recall I wrote on the subject some time back. All your points are well presented and mostly correct, but it was impossible to protect Queen's within the ultra competitive structure of modern NCU club cricket. Unfortunately a dog eat dog culture prevails and sadly the bigger picture on many issues is not on the agenda of most clubs. That said, it is the individual players who made the decisions and that's where the real problem lay from the seventies when the 'pots of gold' were more attractive. But all is not lost and as I have advocated previously, a "Friends of Queen's Cricket" group needs to be formed to resurrect the club and provide a structure for it to develop. It won't happen overnight but I'm sure there are plenty of people who now see the vacuum left in the absence of a good university club. The Alumini of Queen's is Who's Who of local cricket and currently includes both the president of the NCU and Cricket Ireland. I'm sure many others would offer their support including yours truly. So where do we start?
Re Queen's Cricket
Just to echo Wayne's post.
I have the unwanted distinction of (presently?) being the last captain to lead a Queen's team in NCU cricket. The demise of Queen's was the saddest point of my career. I enjoyed four great years with the Club meeting some great people, having fun and playing very competitive cricket given the players and resources we had.
The biggest issue facing Queen's was the fact that other Clubs held on to their players and were self interested. It amazed me in some ways that School cricket was encouraged by the Club's but to play at university (which was surely a natural progression) was frowned upon.
During the final year of my time at Queen's we managed to secure the signing of Simon Redpath (which was great). We had hoped that this would lead to more joining but it turned out to be a one off.
With the players eligible to play Queen's would have had a competitive top division side and the players would have gone back to their Club's after a short spell (in my view) having enjoyed their time and developed.
The NCU share the blame in Queen's demise I feel. We had meetings at the highest level over my time trying to see what assistance could be given to a unviversity team in a Club environment. The help that we sought was not forthcoming. We did ask to be treated in a similar way to Trinity in Leinster (they play 1/2 a season during term time and double points - or used to?). This leaves players able to play for their Club in the second half of the season. The NCU said no to this as an option and no further support, guidance or assistance was offered.
I like Wayne's idea that the Club could be involved in one or more of the other competitions (perhaps the senior cup?) - with players eligle to play for Queen's playing for them in that compeition and being ineligible for their Club? A bit radical perhaps but radical is what has always been needed.
My late Father was of the view that Queen's should be given a permanent place in the top league and play invitational cricket against the other sides - showing that it was something different to a Club and something that needed to be supported.
It saddens me greatly to think that the old Dub is now a building site and cricket has gone.
It doesn't surprise me that clubs took/take a selfish viewpoint on this as most do on most topics!
However, surely players eligible to play at Queens would have been over 18 and more than capable of making up their own minds?
Re: Ryan
The Director of Cricket is a new part-time post we are creating (mainly evenings and weekends during the season). The salary will be negotiable, subject to experience, but will be at a level to attract high calibre candidates.
We will continue to employ our full-time Youth Development Officer (rugby & cricket) with the support of our Youth Academy sponsors Moy Park.
We are looking to build on the great success we have had with our youth teams in recent years and this is the next piece of the jigsaw.
Anyone interested in the post can contact me on 07763 910565 (evenings)to discuss in more detail.
Closing date for applications is Friday 5th November - details on how to apply are on the home page of the CricketEurope Ireland site.
wayne god i loved playing againest queens they were class lads enjoyed the game way it used be play hard an fair an have the craic after . anyone no were dixie deans went too ?
as an aside cricket lovers should be on number 5 in the 210 at lingfield tomorrow.
cricket at queens
There is no cricket at queens now as there was so much self interest of clubs in the 90s that they did not encourage young players to go to queens and play cricket for 3 years. i played at queens for 5 years and lads from waringstown, instonians, ballymena, limavady, north etc all opted to stay with their clubs despite queens eventually finishing 4th in the now div one in 98. A league that north down, bangor and carrick, 2 of which were to go on and win in the top flight over the next number of years.
It was very sad for a lot of ex queens guys to see the demise of queens as an ncu club. This summer i suggested to phil doyle could a queens team be assembled for the t20 comp perhaps?
Cricket is more than just playing as any committee member or captain will know. when at queens you were in charge of running teams, sorting grounds, umpires, tours, varsities etc. Yes it was a bit of a session at times, teas were a bit of a disaster but team spirit was built and an early education was gained into being organised and running a club.
It is a shame clubs did not support a great tradition in ulster cricket.
Interesting job at Lurgan, move over Development Officers, welcome Directors of Cricket!
Does anyone know the salary?
Agree with Stevie Max, that's a cracking job going at Lurgan C.C. for the right person and great to see them backing it up with a rewarding financial package as befits the position.
To think most of us play and are involved in the game on our own time, cause of our passion for cricket and our clubs and then a job like this comes along and you get paid for the privilege.
Well done Lurgan C.C. for showing leadership and ambition, hope you get a worthy candidate to fill the vacancy and this helps bring future success to your club.
(ps. before anyone else comments, I'm not trying to put my own name in the hat. Although what a dream vocation it would be!!).
Peter Johnston..
Peter there should be someone leading cricket at Queens? Not sure if they competed in the intervarsity tourni last year but I understand they had a side in 2007/8/9. Universities have lost the "homely" feel here which keeps students together and particpating after lectures. Students all have different lecture times, most travel in and have jobs part-time therefore the lifestyle no doesn lend itself to our time consuming hobby!
sorry Brendan but 60.2% is a majority and I'm sure Mr. Cameron would have settled for such a "mandate". As I posted earlier, previous AGMs used to have a requirement for a proposal to "pass" was 75% - not exactly a catylist for change. And I agree completely with Peter Johnston's comments on university cricket. But then again its down to demographics. Queen's used to have a rugby team in the Senior League and the soccer team played in the Irish league B Division.
Just read Graeme Hunters job ad for Director of Cricket in Lurgan. It's refreshing to see a club willing to invest in a position like this at a time when everybody and most organisations are tightening their belts.
Good luck Lurgan, we in Dundrum are keeping an interesting eye on how this goes! If successful Jeff Maguire might have to have a career change from a professional punter in Dundrum!!
Reference the new league structure in the NCU - this will have a minimal impact on the club scene - real issues include start times and lack of flexability for years from within the corridors of the NCU - the game has been and is dying as clubs show their parocialism to keep their own patch in order while in the big picture the game of cricket within the NCU slowly dies & needs to be on the life support machine - quick someone immediately get it to A&E - the new structure will have minimal impact on the standard of the game (the dedicated and hard working will generally always be so)causing only more confusion and dissension. Too little too late gentlemen..........
Lurgan Cricket Club is seeking to appoint a Director of Cricket (part-time)
A Job Advertisement/Specification can be found on the home page of CricketEurope Ireland.
We are looking for a high calibre candidate and this will be reflected in the remuneration package available.
It is initially anticipated that this position will be in place for a minimum of 3 years.
Any queries should be referred to me on 07763 910565 (evening).
Graeme Hunter
Chairman
Lurgan Cricket Club
I don't want to disclose my school as that will invite a lot of stupid posts but for what it is worth our cricketers welcome the changes at junior level and what they are trying to do. It may not help the best players who play at the higher level but schools cricket is a short season and they can adapt. Why is nobody seems interested in the absence of a cricket club at Queen's because that's a big loss? I hope to be there in two years but don't see much cricket on the horizon after school.
Interesting opposition to 8 team leagues but why weren't you people at the AGM expressing your views where something can be done about it? Are you speaking for clubs or yourselves? I find it strange that a few website opinions are "common sense" and the 60.2% majority is not but everyone is entitled to their opinion. The 60% majority needed to change it might be an obstacle. That is if there are enough people out there that oppose the new league structure.
