Winter Cricket 2024

UQCC will once again be entering junior teams in the Warehouse Winter Competition.

It is expected that teams will be entered in U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16 but this is dependent on registrations.

Registrations are open to both boys and girls.

Matches are played on Saturday (mostly 11:30-4:30pm) from 27/4/24 to 3/8/24 (+ finals if teams qualify).

If signing up for a full registration players are expected to commit to the team. For older juniors and seniors the Sunday competition is perfect for those with commitments on Saturday that still want to play over winter.

U12 Competition

This competition is based on the MSW junior rules and will consist of 35 over one day games with a focus on participation. Matches will be played with a 142g ball on 18m pitches with 9 players per side. Due to the length of the season and previous experience, we will aim to place 12 players per U12 team. Registrations are open to players 10+ years of age only that have played stage 2 and above.

U13 – U16

Different to summer junior cricket

It is important for players to understand that there are differences between winter cricket and junior competitions that UQCC participates in during summer (e.g. MSW competitions). Some of the key differences are as follows:

• There are no modified junior rules for U13+. For example, the pitch length is 20m, balls are 156g and overs are not capped at a maximum number of balls (e.g. 8)
• While there are different gradings within an age limit these are less than summer junior competitions
• Matches are longer and the standard is 70 overs per day
• Matches may be a combination of 1 or 2 day games
• Competitions are across a wider geographical area than the MSW competition. Travel will be far greater than playing in the MSW competition.

Team placement

Team registration

• This season there will be the option for teams to nominate
• There must be a minimum of 13 players
• Coaches etc must also be provided by the team
• Competition grading will be at the discretion of UQCC
• All players must be registered with UQCC. Playing of non registered players will result in removal of the team, immediately and without refund.

Individual registration

• This is similar to previous years whereby individuals register and are placed in a team

• UQCC will endeavour to place players into appropriate teams (age/ability). This may involve a grading session if numbers need to be capped
• All new players will need to be graded (this is more from a safety perspective)
• Players must be at least 11 years old to play U13
• For player safety and due to standard cricket rules (no modified junior rules) there will be a minimum playing standard required.
• Any friend requests are to be emailed to the juniors@uqcricket.com.au

Team numbers

• Experience has shown that due to the length of the season a team on average will need 14-15 players.
• Each team must have a minimum of 13 players
• Additional players can be accessed via the casual pool
• All players that play winter must be registered with UQCC.

Casual Players

• This option is suited to players that cannot commit to every game but still want to play during winter
• This category is not guaranteed a game and will play where teams are short. Previous experience has resulted in a large call on casual players.
• A player can be a casual across multiple teams/age grounds (pending to meeting the age criteria)
• Players must be registered before they can play for UQCC
• The daily match fee must also be paid prior to the commencement of play (via the UQCC shop)

UQ Way

• Registration is open to non UQCC players
• All players are required to abide by the UQCC Code of Conduct
• All players are to play in UQ Clothing
• UQCC teams play according to the UQ Way which is an approach that promotes participation and challenging players to play under different conditions. This will be further developed for the winter season.

Fees

Fees are all inclusive, covering training and match facilities, balls, umpires etc No clothing is provided. Players are required to play in UQ clothing (UQ playing shirt and cap) and will need to purchase this separately should they not have these items.

Casuals will pay a once off registration of $20 + a daily fee of $30 The fees remain the same as for 2023 but we have added the additional senior competition.

U12 – $320
U13-U16 -$370
Sat Seniors – $450
Sun Seniors – $300
Casual daily fee – $30

Fee are payable based on competition not age group. For example the fee for a 14 year old playing Saturday seniors is $450.

Coaches

• All UQ teams run on volunteer coaches
• If parents would like to coach a team please contact the UQ Junior Coordinator
• If a team has no coach the team will not be registered

Seniors

Subject to numbers we will look to field teams in the Saturday competition (play every week) or Sunday (plays alternative weeks).

The senior competition is for grade players, older juniors or parent/child teams.

They will be graded based on the composition of the team.

The Sunday competition is aimed at those that do not want to commit to every week or that have other commitments on a Saturday but still want to play cricket. The Sunday competition is 50 over one day games.

Registrations / Inquires

Expressions of Interest for winter cricket have now closed. We may still have limited spots for full or casual players. If you are interested please contact juniors@uqcricket.com.au

For more information

For any inquiries, please contact the UQCC Junior coordinator at juniors@uqcricket.com.au

To ensure that juniors enjoy their cricket a playing framework has been developed and this is to align to the clubs playing mantra.

1. Have fun and enjoy your cricket – cricket is a game and there is no point in playing if you are not having fun. Children should be encourage, not forced to play.
2. Accountability – players are to take responsibility for their performance. If you play a bad shot, bowl a bad ball or drop a catch, learn from it and move on. Throwing of bats etc, showing dissent to umpires etc will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
3. Always improve – there is an expectation that players aim to achieve their maximum potential. This means working on areas that need improvement and applying yourself at training and games. Mucking around at training or games will not be tolerated.
4. No Sledging – UQCC is a club that provides itself on being positive. We want to hear noise on the field as it demonstrates players are having fun, but this must be of a nature of encouraging your team mates. Anything else is Unacceptable.

UQ THE WAY WE PLAY

MSW STAGES AND UQ THE WAY WE PLAY

Roles and Responsibility

It is important to recognise that the coach is a volunteer, in most instances a parent, and often takes on the role as a last resort as no one else is willing to take on the role. There is a vast span of cricket knowledge and coaching experience amongst our junior coaches.

It is now a requirement that all our coaches attain a Level 1 Community Coaching certification, have a current QLD Blue Card, and complete a short online Child Protection Course.

Level 1 Community Coaching certification involves completing the online Introduction to Cricket module and a 3 hour practical session. Play by the Rule, Child Protection Course involves completing an interactive 15 minute learning module.

It is a requirement that all coaches regardless of their level of coaching or playing experience complete these courses. The online modules are particularly important for enforcing CA and Queensland Cricket’s message of keeping players in the game through participation and fun in a safe environment.

The role of coach and manager can be performed by one person however, some teams may prefer to separate these roles.

Some of the roles and responsibilities include:

• Organising and running weekly training sessions
• Hands on role for game day
  • This will be more hands on for the younger players/earlier stages
  • Pre-match drills/discussion
  • Post-match discussion
  • Setting the field, batting, bowling order (stage dependant)
• Completion of game day checklist and retention of the checklist
• Remaining at the training or match venue until all children have been picked up by their parents

It is important to note:

• The coach is not a specialist coach
• The coach’s role is to coach the team not your child
• The coach should point out and assist with problem areas
• The coach does not have the time to focus solely on one child. Some drills should be provided to the child or recommend the child attends the Blues Academy (for focused one on one training by a specialist coach)
• A baby-sitting service. Coaches give freely of their time for the betterment of the players and team. It is expected that parents pick up their child on time at the completion of the game.

Game Day Responsibilities

The focus for parents and players is to have fun and enjoy the game of cricket. However, there are a arrange of tasks that need to be completed on game day to achieve this. These are listed below:

• Setting up the field. It is the responsibility of the home team to set up the stumps and boundary markers. Recommended: Parents
• Discuss the match/umpire conditions with the opposition. Recommended: Coach
• Pre match drills. Recommended: Coach or Parent as directed by the coach
• Pre match discussion. Recommended: Coach
• Umpiring – For the earlier stages it is recommend that this be undertaken by the coach when the team is fielding. This should be undertaken by a parent when the team is batting so that the coach can remain with the team on the sideline. Recommended: Manager/Parent.
• Game Day checklist. Recommended: Manager/Coach
• Finalising results with opposition. Recommended: Coach
• Entering of results into My Cricket (optional). Recommended: Manager/Coach.
• Packing up of field and tidying up area. Recommended: Parents/Players.
• Post-match discussion: Recommended: Coach.

Resources

https://www.community.cricket.com.au/coach/

https://www.playbytherules.net.au/

Role

The role of parents in junior cricket is particularly important. Parents should encourage and support their child and members of their team. It is expected that parents will assist at the direction of the coach/manager on game day or at training.

As mentioned previously, the focus at UQCC is to retain junior players in the game through participation and fun. UQCC has a zero tolerance on parents coaching from the sidelines and any demeaning/derogatory comments to players, officials, and spectators of both sides. Any such behaviour should be reported to the coach in the first instance.

Part of the cricket experience is to enable players to make their own decisions and to learn through their mistakes. It is important that on match days all coaching is left to the coach as multiple messages become confusing for the player.

Pre-Christmas 2024/25 Season

• 1/07/2024 – Registrations open
• 15/07/2024 – Early Bird Closes
• 10/08/2024 – UQCC Season Launch and Junior Grading
• 1/09/2024 – Registrations close
• 23/09/2024 – Clothing and Kitbag pickup (coaches)
• 30/09/2024 – Team training begins
• 1/10/2024 – Coach/Manager Zoom session
• 2/10/2024 – Players/Parents Zoom session
• 5/10/2024- MSW Round 1
• 8/10/2024 – MSW Coach and Managers Forum
• 7/12/2024 – MSW Final round

1. How do I register to play at UQCC

All players must register via the Play Cricket website. Please refer to our registration page for links – LINK

2. I would like to play with friends, how can I request this.

The registration form includes a field for “friend requests”. Please complete this field with the appropriate details. If you have completed the registration and did not complete this field please email juniors@uqcricket.com.au with the details.

3. I would like to play representative cricket, what is the process.

UQCC nominates players for trial for the MSW junior representative program. Players must be registered with UQCC at the date MSW requires the club to submit nominations. Nominations will be after the grading date. UQCC only nominates players for trial, it has no input into the MSW selection process. The minimum age for trial is 10 years old (i.e. U11).

4. My child is the best player in the team. Why are they batting in the bottom order?

UQCC embraces the philosophy that the most important aspect of playing cricket is to have fun. It is not all about winning. The approach for juniors is very much about equal opportunity not necessarily equal outcome.

5. Are team coaches professional coaches?

All team coaches are volunteers and mostly parents. Their role is to coach the team not individual players. Individual coaching is available by the Blues Academy which has qualified specialist coaches.

6. The weather looks bad is the game on?

The game is on until advised otherwise by the coach/manager.

7. How do I receive communications regarding the team?

Communications is specific to each team. The most common approach at UQCC is a Whats App group. Parents are advised to join this group to ensure they receive communications regarding training, match days etc.

8. Where do I find details regarding match times, venues etc?

All details regarding matches are available in the Play Cricket App. Details regarding the app are included in the Players and Parent presentation.

9. I am not available for a match, what should I do?

Players are requested to advise the coach as early as possible regarding any unavailability.

Coaches are required to name teams by Thursday so players are to ensure where possible they advise the coach of their availability by Wednesday

Players and parents

Coaches and managers

Teams in stage 2 and 3 are required to use Play HQ for scoring. At least one team must use Play HQ and the other team can also use Play HQ or another method (book, NX Cricket etc). cricket.com.au

Scoring for stage 1 is via the book and must not be in Play HQ. For those new to scoring in Play HQ a demo is available at ▶ Prototype – PlayHQ – E-scoring tutorial – Aug 2023 Update (figma.com)

A full e-Scroing manual is available at 7887007175951 (cricket.com.au)

UQ Process:

• Coaches or manages to have teams entered in Play HQ by Wednesday
• On Game Day the scorer accesses the match and can update the team if necessary
• Website: score.playhq.com
• Cricket Australia Help Desk (Saturday 7am – 6pm / Sunday 8am – 5pm)
• Phone – 1800 CRICKET (1800 274 25 38)
• Email – mycricketsupport@cricket.com.au