Backyard to baggy green

Transcription

1 cricketaustralia.com.au Backyard to baggy green FOUNDATION Australian Cricket Pathway

2 A pathway for all FOUNDATION Cricket is Australia s favourite sport; millions enjoy the opportunity to play this great game and rise through its ranks. Cricket is a sport for all and whether it s adults playing club cricket or kids having their first hit, having fun is a priority. But we re also dedicated to helping talented players from all backgrounds develop and transition to the next level. Over 1.2 million people a year play cricket in Australia and benefit from the buzz of hitting the ball, taking a wicket or grabbing a catch, as well as enjoying the camaraderie of being part of a team. We want all cricketers to have every chance to maximise their cricketing skills and enjoy a successful career. Beginning with our great MILO in2cricket and MILO T20BLAST for children and working through different representative levels to the national teams, it should be clear to all players that if they are good enough there is a clear pathway for them to succeed. While not everyone can fulfil the dream of representing their country, it s good to know there is a clear route from the backyard to the baggy green and all stages in between. So whether you ve never held a bat, are desperate to get back into it or have a passing interest, there s never been a better time to start playing Australia s favourite sport. I wish everyone luck on their cricketing journey James Sutherland Cricket Australia CEO * Cricket Australia National Cricket Census results

3 Australian Cricket Pathway Backyard to baggy green FOUNDATION 2 3

4 4 It s never too soon or too late to get into cricket. Whether you start knocking a ball around with your family and friends or join up with a club and go straight into the game, there are plenty of opportunities to play. Getting moving, learning the skills and playing and competing build strong foundations. FOUNDATION FOUNDATION

5 In the early stages, the focus is on parents creating opportunities that get kids moving through a range of fundamental movement skills that are required to be healthy, active and involved in sport. Fun times with family and friends from the neighbourhood in the backyard, at BBQ s and on the beach years: MILO T20 Blast It s never too early to get kids started. The MILO in2cricket program aims to develop skills and an enthusiasm for the game for 5-8 year olds. It has been running for over 20 years and is a brilliant activity for young boys and girls that introduces fundamental cricket skills. Kids hang out with their friends, make new ones, learn the skills and play in a team. Now the kids have learned how to bat and bowl, the next step is into a game environment and that s where MILO T20 Blast comes in. MILO T20 Blast is an eight-week program consisting of 90-minute games. It takes place on a small pitch with eight players per side. Each player gets to bat, bowl, wicket-keep and field. While waiting to bat, there s a Skills Zone where children actively hone their skills. The basic skills required for cricket include catching, throwing, jumping, running and teamwork and all have wider benefits for children. Playing with bats and balls is a fun way to get kids interacting with their environment. They may even get the chance to play at lunch during a Commonwealth Bank Test match. The kids are getting a chance to emulate their heroes in the KFC T20 Big Bash League (BBL) and Women s T20 Big Bash League (WBBL). playcricket.com.au 6 State & Territory associations conduct Entry Level Program coordinator training 7 GET MOVING 5-8 years: MILO in2cricket Learning the skills FOUNDATION

6 FOUNDATION Junior competition Community Junior competition Representative & regional School and Club Cricket provide opportunities to engage in competition and more specific skill development where mastering the basics of cricket are a priority. There s a game, and a standard, for everyone. Any child can play at a junior cricket club. Local clubs are thriving community hubs that provide a great environment for kids from all backgrounds to make friends and develop their cricket skills together. There is a range of formats to suit different skill levels and time commitments with T20 Cricket becoming more and more popular. The focus is on providing an enjoyable cricket experience and this will mean playing at the level that suits their current skill level. Ensuring kids are playing at an appropriate level and in the appropriate game format is critical to providing the right challenges to facilitate their enjoyment and improvement. Sometimes this means talented players might play with older players. Likewise players just starting out, may gain more from playing with younger players who are of a different age but of the same skill level. The best juniors will have an opportunity to participate in local and regional representative competitions. The local cricket association or Indoor Cricket Centre plays a critical role in providing appropriate opportunities for the best junior cricketers to compete in local and regional representative competitions. The School Sports associations in each state also provide opportunities for cricketers to test their skills against other zones and regions. Indoor Cricket and School Sport Australia also provide opportunities for the best cricketers at this level to be exposed to various national and international playing opportunities in their age group. SCHOOL CRICKET In conjunction with States and Territories, School Sport Australia (SSA) and Cricket Australia are working together to strengthen and align the Australian Cricket Pathway. The best players in schools are identified and selected to compete in the National SSA Cricket Championships at 12 s and 15 s year age groups. playcricket.com.au Community (Level 1) accreditation is provided for coaches and umpires community.cricket.com.au Representative (Level 2) accreditation is available for coaches and umpires 8 9

7 Senior competition Senior clubs are the heart and soul of many inclusive communities. There are many different playing standards and formats that can cater for a variety of needs. Whether you are young or young at heart there is an opportunity for you to play on a regular basis experiencing all the physical and social benefits that cricket offers. Premier cricket is the home base for Australian cricketers. All talented cricketers with aspirations to reach the top will compete for a Premier Club. Premier cricket strives to deliver the best possible standards of coaching, playing facilities and experience of multiple formats to develop State and Australian cricketers. Community In many cases our best young talent will also be playing in senior level competition and this is seen as a great way to stretch these players to new heights. The senior club players have an important role to play in mentoring these young players. Premier Cricket indoor cricket A host of top-class international players have graced the 100 indoor cricket centres across the country in games that take around an hour to play. There s competition at state and national level for the best players at both junior and senior level. playcricket.com.au 10 Community (Level 1) accreditation is provided for coaches and umpires community.cricket.com.au Representative (Level 2) accreditation is available for coaches and umpires 11 Senior competition FOUNDATION

8 When cricketers are identified, how do we continually develop a players skills to enable them to reach their potential? Thankfully there s a clear and attractive pathway for cricketers to maximise their talent. 12

9 Potential is identified Premier 1sts, national youth competitions & programs Skill & Determination National 2nd tier competition & performance program Cricket s network of State and Territory and National Talent staff will identify the best school and club cricketers. These players will be challenged further to develop their skills within National Youth competitions. Players at this level will be competing with Premier Clubs and with State and Territory Youth teams (U15, U17, U19 for males; U15, U18 for females). In addition to cricket skill determination, decision making and positive self-management are important elements of a players make up and are a key focus at this stage. A greater emphasis is placed on the ability of the player to demonstrate both the physical and mental skills required. In additional National youth programs such as the Australian U16 Team (male), CA Junior Rookie Program (male) and Talent squads (female) are implemented to further challenge and stretch these players. Players will have the opportunity to undertake intense individualised training programs. Regular high level performances at Premier Cricket and 2nd tier State Team level will be a highlight. Australian U19 Team (male) and the National Performance Squad provide an opportunity to gain touring experience both in Australia and overseas. mycricket.cricket.com.au High Performance (Level 3) accreditation is available for coaches and umpires 14 15

10 Breakthrough This level provides opportunities to taste the conditions and pressures of a being a State, BBL or WBBL contracted player. Being on a full-time program and accessing the best staff and facilities in preparation for possible national representation. Players are tested in all available formats around the country to measure themselves against their peers in the strongest domestic competitions available in world cricket. Competition will be fierce within the National Senior Competitions (Sheffield Shield, Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, Women s National Cricket League, BBL and WBBL) and those that perform and contribute to their teams on the big stage will be targeted for Australia A (male) and CBA Shooting Stars (female). Performances in these teams provide a breakthrough opportunity to Australian Teams. Australia A & CBA Shooting Stars cricketaustralia.com.au Elite coach and umpire opportunities are provided through CA and the ICC 17 Strong Performances National senior competitions 16

11 Starting out by picking up a bat or a ball, some players will make their way through all the levels and finally the call comes to be an international cricketer and represent Australia. 18

12 The Baggy Green Australian teams Whether the first cap comes in a T20, One Day International (ODI) or a Test match, life will never be the same. But as any great player knows, in some ways the hard work is just beginning. Australian Teams have a proud history of producing successful, resilient and high quality international players this is required when the Australian Teams are challenged to perform in many countries local conditions. Developing players that can play T20, ODI and Test cricket is the aim. Australian Teams Australian Men s Team Australian Women s Team Australian Indoor Men s Team Australian Indoor Women s Team Australian Blind Team Australian Deaf Team Australian Team for Players with Intellectual Disability There is a great responsibility that comes with playing cricket in Australian teams however the benefits last a lifetime including the opportunity to travel the world and take the game to new heights, living the dreams of Australian boys and girls through a personal contribution that will never be forgotten cricket.com.au 20 Cricket Australia provides individualised coach and umpire professional development 21

13 M y cricket journey started in the back yard with my younger sister Anna. We used to play for hours with our own set of backyard cricket rules. Once I got a bit older I wanted to get more involved in the game so my mum and dad signed me up at my local cricket club when I was nine years old. I really enjoyed learning the skills of the game and playing alongside my teammates. At high school I played in the Boy s XI and I was the first female to play in that competition. Playing with and against the boys helped to shape my game and proved a great challenge for me. While I was still in high school I made my debut for Victoria. This was a significant step in my development as it provided me with access to a high performance environment, which included specialist coaches and quality facilities. 22 I was 18 years old when I made my debut for Australia in a T20 international match against New Zealand. I grew up dreaming of playing for Australia so to receive my first cap was a moment I ll never forget. I am hugely honoured to captain the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and I hope that my teammates and I inspire the next generation of Australian cricket players and fans. Meg Lanning 23

14 More Ways to Enjoy Cricket Play anywhere Barbecues, backyards & beaches Get back out there Return to playing A Place for everyone More than one way to enjoy the game While the MILO in2cricket and MILO T20 Blast offer amazing ways for kids to get involved in the game, socialise and learn skills, there s a lot to be said for playing the game whenever there s a chance and that s relevant whether you re a kid or an adult. A barbecue isn t complete without a game of cricket in the backyard or out on the street with a bin as a wicket. Similarly, a trip to the beach should always be made with a ball and a bat. The great thing about games like this is that the whole family can be involved. Dad can be bowling to daughter while son is keeping wicket and Mum is at first slip... with cousins in the outfield. So you got out for a duck, threw the pads away and thought you d never play again? Or maybe you had a family and couldn t commit to weekends playing for your club? Job got in the way? Or maybe you stopped playing without knowing why? But you know there is some kit somewhere, packed away in the bottom of the cupboard and the urge to get back to playing is on your mind. Perhaps playing with the kids in the back yard has reawakened your passion? Then why not get back out there yourself with shorter formats of the game, it s now easier to play than ever. Coaching There s more to cricket than just playing the game; it offers opportunities for fulfilment in a number of ways. Teaching kids at MILO in2cricket and MILO T20 Blast level might awaken a passion in you to start coaching at junior level. Once you ve taken the first steps along that path there s a clear training program to develop skills so you can teach others and pass on experience picked up on the cricket pitch. Check out coaches.cricket.com.au for more. Umpiring Alternatively you might think about being an umpire. All sports need good officials, whether it s to look after a junior game or to go through the process of becoming a top level umpire and getting to the elite level. It s a thoroughly rewarding way to enjoy the game from the best seat in the house. There s a two-level accreditation course to get involved. See cricketumpiring.com.au for more information. Volunteering If coaching and umpiring are not for you, there are other ways to enjoy the game. Community cricket clubs are always in need of volunteers, so whether it s helping out with the pitch, making the teas or holding a committee position, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Why not contact your local club and see what you can do? 24