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WJ Smyth,
Of the top of your head would I be eligible for an RHI grant to heat my duck-house, didn't lay me a single egg all January & February ?
( think they were cold )
Having spent much of last week mulling around in work (not much happening at Stormont), waiting for our learned friends on the hill to do a deal, get back to work and sort out “cash for ash”, I spent Friday afternoon reviewing the next big scandal about to hit the news – “15 cricket clubs fined for paying foreign visitors”.
Reviewing the recent posts, there seem to be 7 clubs taking a high moral ground, not inviting “pros”, based on Home Office guidance, but are there other motivations? Has the money run out? Have some clubs found some Aussie or Kiwis on mobility visa? Maybe they think they are better than other clubs in Section 1 without the “hired guns”? – who knows, but is this conclave of clubs providing leadership, being opportunists or pressurising other clubs for their own agenda? It seems there are at least 2 Aussies and 2 Kiwis on the way to some of the “converted seven” clubs in Section 1, but sources have been told “they are not that good”!
The “visa 3” seem to be playing their cards close – what is their thinking – maybe Premier League in 2018? Is it that the internet is not working in Co Armagh, maybe Bushe can’t find his way out of Waringstown or maybe they have a simple view - no real change in the regulations, what is the fuss, or maybe they are annoyed at being dictated to?
Whistle blowing seems to be a new craze – but after waiting 30 minutes and chatting for 15 minutes with a very informative lady from immigration, it seems any club this year or during previous years that have flaunted the visa system could be subjected to investigation and subsequent fines, so all the seven clubs, with newly found moral compass, having invited foreign visitors in previous years, are in the same predicament as any other club.
A quick look at club results over the past 5 years show 15 clubs have used similar players – Thank God the NCU have such an accomplished barrister in the management ranks – he may be busy this summer after the first whistle is blown!
Another quick looks at the writings on this subject over the past few weeks would suggest the clubs and the press seem to know exact club positions and registration details at other clubs – who is driving this information, is there information passing from within the NCU, through clubs and into the press? Given the sensitivity of the subject, implications, you would think it would be “no comment” – some clubs might as well post a confession letter to immigration.
There seems to be a very legal visa discussion – I wonder will this lead to the same legal discussion with the NCU on confidentiality and data protection? – I can see the NCU fees doubling this year after all these legal discussions.
This could develop into the best game of cricket this summer – it looks as if the “No Pro Seven (except for Under 30 year old Aussies and Kiwis)“– it always good to read the small print – have opened up with a great spell of bowling, the “visa 3” have had a quiet start with the bat, but with a quick phone call to the visa office, the “visa 3” could hit the ball out of the park, start the flow of penalty runs, and just put the covers on 15 clubs for the summer!
Anyway, its 3pm, time to check the boiler is stocked for the weekend, thermostat set at 35 deg, and open all the windows for the weekend cash of ash tariff. I go home safe in the knowledge that despite best intentions of NCU, selfish clubs run (or maybe ruin) the NCU and have not doubt that cricket will not be the real winner after this test match or T20 is played out.
Nearly forgot to mention – do all the pros in Premier’s have visa status to ply their trade outside the UK – for example in Dublin while playing in Irish Cup or Northern Knights – if one in the dock this summer, all in the dock!!
Final thought, I think it is time NCU applied some parental guidance for clubs just to manage their own affairs, and do their best to develop this sport we all love – maybe no youth cricket during the week, no adult cricket on Saturday! I note many have said they have the whistle ready, I have yer woman’s direct number and on my speed dial!
Ed...
Are we paying you to work on Friday afternoons?
Umpires Roadshow - I hope Mr. Angry will be at the Derriaghy one!! Used to give me dog's abuse!!
UMPIRES ROADSHOWS 2017
NIACUS has kindly (and perhaps bravely) agreed to put on a series of Umpiring Roadshows before the start of this coming season. These are aimed at coaches, players, teachers, parents, helpers and spectators who might all benefit from a better understanding of the laws and bye laws of our great game, and how they are implemented by the umpires. They promise it will be fun and informative, and they will be happy to answer questions. Get the season off to a bright and hopefully informed start. It could be you standing in the under 11’s game when a cow wanders unto the pitch and eats the ball- what do you do then?
VENUES – LAURELVALE – Wed 22nd March at 7pm.
DERRIAGHY – Mon 27th March at 7pm.
TEMPLEPATRICK – Thurs 30th March at 7pm.
Should last around 2 hours.
Big turnout hoped for so spread the word and make the effort– let the umpires know we really do love them, honest!
DOMESTIC DIRECTORATE
As an ex-Holywood player it saddens me to read all the previous post - but I am happy to see that the committee seem to be progressive in their thinking and recruiting players a good start. Even better that they are going to be employed as coaches at the old club......
However I am stunned to find that Holywood CC have not entered a U15 team in this years Graham Cup. Holywood the club that the Graham family served cannot muster up 11 under 15 schoolboys. That is very sad - the new recruited coaches seem to have struck it easy with the youth coaching!
Perhaps the American owners of HCC need to splash out on incentives to recruit schoolboys now....
In addition to not entering the Graham Cup, they continue to not enter the Intermediate Cup and have withdrawn from the midweek league.
Worrying times at the field of dreams.....
Folks.... clubs can lever funding via NIHE. Link http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/community/community_cohesion.htm. Also Community Pharmacy grants now available via http://www.communitypharmacyni.co.uk/
Lots of potential for sporting projects.
Ryan
Donaghcloney Mill are looking to appoint a player/coach/youth coordinator for the upcoming 2017 season. ?
Candidates would be expected to plan and deliver 2 senior and 2 youth practice evenings per week, as well as deliver summer scheme throughout July and August. Where applicable they would also be opportunity to assist with our coaching programmes in a number of the local schools, both at primary at secondary age groups. The successful candidate would be expected to play Saturday cricket within the club at some level. ?
Applicants should have a minimum of ECB Level Two coaching qualification or equivalent and CICA membership. Pay and specific hours negotiable based on qualifications and experience. ?For more information or to apply please contact Kyle Weir on 07474433336 or weir.kyle@googlemail.com
?Closing date for applications is Friday 24th March.
Alan,
Perhaps given the opportunity our ' average ' local players might not seem so average after all ?
Ivan -
As you say Aussies now being touted.
Personally I feel it is an opportunity for local players of average ability who now have something to sell.
You and I both born too soon I fear.
To clarify my posting Alan - it was my understanding that HMRC were taking a stronger line in enforcing existing regulations and this would extend to the whole of the UK. Perhaps this arises from my possible mis-reading of the original posting on the NWCU thread. I recall back in the day the emphasis was always placed on coaching qualification for incoming pros. It certainly makes for interesting times ahead.
I see the Agents promoting the availability of British passport holding Aussies Grade cricketers . Will be interesting if any of the "seven" can get one of them snapped up in the weeks ahead. I imagine most of those clubs will have already committed to sending their overseas player into local schools so that timetable still has to be covered.
Andy and others:
Andy implies that the rules have been 'clarified' - sorry Andy they have been 'changed'.
So to suggest that NCU regs in the past were 'flawed' is not the case. The NCU has never been responsible for deciding who is allowed into the UK.
And for those who keep talking about 'amateurs', 'professional', and talk about payment- the NCU regs have NEVER (to my knowledge at least) used those terms or categorised players according to those titles.
The regs invariably talk of 'overseas' and 'qualified for Ireland' and it has always been the responsibility of clubs to secure the admission of their chosen ones to the UK.
And as for the 'whistleblowers' - as is often said, 'The innocent have nothing to fear.'
' For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.' ( Timothy 6:10King James Version )
The Dawn of a New Season !
As the cricket season draweth near,
winter doldrums, become small beer
players and officials most revere,
search for crumpled whites and dusty gear
The great fraternity from hibernation reappear
as an awakening bear, stern and austere,
then imbue each other's speculative ear
with various conundrums intended sincere
Like prophets gazing into a crystal sphere
their curiosity doth blend and cohere,
long before a ball is bowled cavalier,
or struck back eagerly, without fear!
Will the sun from a blue background adhere
and shine warm, bright and clear?
Which team will lift the cup in cheer,
or sit proudly atop the summit of the premier?
What bowler and which batsman will domineer
and top the averages for this year?
Long into the night shall they persevere,
to confabulate, about the game they so endear!
From common man to noble peer
all must wait patiently to hear,
as father time rows forward at steady steer
in pearly craft of gilded veneer, like a celestial gondolier!
Indeed let's pray an almighty hand of zenith tier,
shall never bowl a ball to end his career
the consequence of which could be severe,
as both you, me and the universe into a black-hole ..would instantaneously, disappear!
I don't wish to 'raise any hares' here but does the recent HMRC clarification mean that the NCU regulations regarding overseas players have been, in the past, flawed?
Agree Paul.
Statement from the NCU very wishy washy with no conviction. Perhaps these clubs can't grasp the potential seriousness of their actions.
When Kammy and Ninja apply for a visa....ah you have been paid for the last 15 years here, and you are coming for free this year? Aye right.... Good one, that will work!
And if it does you will have 7 clubs waiting with whistles to blow them as loudly as possible. How can any chairman be happy with the £20k threat on your head, unless you are Mr Hughes I don't think any other men in the NCU could afford to have that hanging over them.
I've already heard of players wanting to not play against the 3 clubs who want to bring in pros.
It must be fear, or maybe a realisation that instead of coming 3rd and 4th they will be a relegation dog fight.
The NCU need to make a better statement than what they have. There is no recommendation for clubs or anything, when it's clear to see for everyone that by law the NCU should be recommending clubs not to bring in pros.
Level playing field for everyone! And I see people crying about coaching, if your club is reliant on a guy you pay £5k a year then your club is in a dangerous position.
Laurelvale, Cregagh, Bangor, Cliftonville have all had no pro the past couple of years and continue to bring through kids. It is achievable! Clubs like derriaghy will have no problem adjusting with no pros too!
