The newly adopted framework and funding structure provides a clearer and more affordable pathway for talented and dedicated cricketers, aged 12-18 years, to realise their potential and to work through representative levels towards Queensland Teams like FootDR Queensland Bulls, Monica Minolta Queensland Fire, Brisbane Heat and WBBL Heat…possibly don the baggy green on the world stage.
Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket partner with the following Stakeholders to deliver competitions across the state for talented youth cricketers:
Queensland School Sport
Queensland School Sport convenes championships at 10-12 years and Under 15 age groups for males and females. Players at these championships are eligible to represent Queensland in Cricket Australia endorsed School Sport Australia national championships.
Regional School Sport teams are selected to attend championships. Selection occurs after a series of trials. Details for the trial dates for your region can be found at www.qldcricket.com.au. Coaches and Regional Sport Officers work closely with Queensland Cricket Talent Officers on identification and selection.
Queensland Junior Cricket
Queensland Junior Cricket is comprised of 12 regions. The regions are responsible for competitions and fixturing of club and community cricket. Wilston Norths region is Brisbane North which operates under the Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association (BNJCA).
Regional coaching directors manage the teams and work closely with Queensland Cricket Talent and Coach Development Officers on their programs and selections.
For country regions the Bulls Masters have partnered to establish an Under 16 Country Challenge. These matches will guide selection for the Queensland Cricket Under 16 Rookie Challenge.
Premier Cricket Clubs
Premier Cricket Clubs provide representative opportunities from Under 16 onwards through the Lord Taverners Competition (see below). Queensland Cricket Talent staff closely monitor matches to guide selection for the Queensland U16 Rookie Challenge.
Premier Clubs are the pathway to the Queensland Bulls and all talented players are required to compete via the Premier Cricket competition to continue their progression.
Financial Support
The Australian Cricket Pathway is supported via strategic funding from Cricket Australia. The investment will see significant cost savings delivered across age groups and competitions. Queensland Cricket is committed to making cricket affordable and accessible, ensuring Cricket is a sport for all Queenslanders.
Parents and participants of Representative Players are encouraged to seek further information from Queensland Cricket staff on specific championship arrangements and via the website.
Participants can also access support through the Queensland Government, Young Athletes Travel Subsidy. Please visit www.qld.gov.au/recreation/ sports/funding/athletes/yats for further information.
Lord Taverners
The Lord Taverners competition provides development opportunities for talented young cricketers U14-U16 transitioning from junior to senior cricket, who the club believe have a genuine chance of becoming a high performing Premier Grade Cricketer. The U16 Lord Taverners competition is the principle metropolitan pathway into the Queensland Under 17 Cricket team and into Premier Grade Cricket.
Players train with senior players and have the opportunity to play premier cricket at our senior club, Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club (NSDCC). The exposure for young cricketers to play with adults is regarded as a very important aspect of fast tracking development. However Northern Suburbs encourage players to play for Wilston Norths until they’re ready to transition to Senior Cricket as opportunities can be limited.
Darren Roy is the co-ordinator for The Lord Taverners Program. Age eligible Wilston Norths players will be invited to nominate in early 2021 with trials planned for March.
The trials will be used to select the initial training squad for the upcoming season with the club looking to recognise commitment and loyalty from players as an important part of the selection process. Eligible players must be at least 13 by 1 September 2021 and must not have turned 16 before 1 September 2021.
Selectors will be looking to compose a squad of promising junior cricketers with the aim to prepare these players for senior cricket into the future. The Young Vikings squad will see selected players eligible for selection in any of the following teams each week:
Norths has a selection policy that if you are making yourself eligible for selection in an U16 team that you will also be available for selection in senior grade cricket on Saturdays should you be required. The club supports the philosophy that player development can be improved by playing cricket against adults whereby players are out of their comfort zone.
Preparation for the 2021/2022 season will begin in May 2020 under the guidance of the squad coach who will also be involving a range of North’s club and specialist coaches throughout the season. In 2021/22 the following sessions are planned however these plans may change:
For players outside of Wilston Norths who wish to trial for the Young Vikings Squad please contact Northern Suburbs District Cricket club directly at http://northernsdcc.qld.cricket.com.au/ or via facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthernSuburbsDCC/
