Wangaratta & District Cricket Association

Wangaratta & District Cricket Association

FROM THE PRESIDENT The Wangaratta and Distrcit Cricket Association has for many years enjoyed a reputation for strong administration, developing expanding domestic competitions and being able to select competitive teams for representative cricket matches. The area from which affiliated Clubs are drawn now cover a large part of the North East of Victoria and the challenge for the Association is to continue to improve in all aspects for the benefit of all stakeholders. The Association has developed a Strategic Plan to provide a focus for planning and actions required in the period 2009-2018 and will need the support of the cricket community to help us achieve our goals. The huge contribution of our affiliates, club administrators and volunteers is acknowledged and is vital to the future of cricket in this area. The dedicated efforts by the many volunteers to the game of cricket at grassroots level ensures that the sport continues to be our favourite summer sport. The tremendous support of local government in each of the five municipalities covering the area of the Association is important in the provision of the excellent playing facilities which we enjoy and we need to work with them as we maintain and expand these facilities. The Association has identified a number of challenges which need to be faced in the next ten years as we look to implement the strategic goals which have been set. All of this is for the purpose of developing better players, coaches, umpires, administrators, facilities and participation. The Association looks forward to working with our participants and supporters to achieve our goals. Graham F Kerr President November 2008 Page 1

Vision Wangaratta and District Cricket Association: North East Victoria s Premier Summer Sporting Competition Our Purpose To support and partner with our stakeholders to ensure our competition is: Vibrant; Sustainable; Recognised; and Relevant. BY 2018 WE WILL HAVE ACHIEVED We Value Sportsmanship and fair play; Respect for our team mates, our opposition and ourselves; Acceptance of decisions by those in authority; The traditions of cricket. Our Stakeholders Clubs; Players; Local Government; and Community. A part-time cricket administrator; Representation at Melbourne Country Week at Provincial Level; Reserves of capable, qualified umpires; Association sponsorships valued at $50,000; Annual staging of Premier cricket events; Robust junior competitions at all age levels; A girls competition; All clubs will have appointed a Level 1 Accredited Coach; Volunteer support programs; Growth in participation. Page 2

INTRODUCTION The Wangaratta and District Cricket Association (WDCA) played its first official game on the 2nd of November 1895, although the earliest recorded game was between Beechworth and Albury in 1860. This long and proud history has had a significant impact on the social fabric of the communities in which we live. In order to sustain the relevance of grass roots cricket in the busy modern world, it is critical that we take the time to identify the needs of our key stakeholders and our role as an Association in supporting them. Currently the Association has fourteen clubs playing at 34 venues across five different Shires. In order to sustain this substantial geographic footprint significant challenges need to be addressed and a robust vision for the future formulated. This Plan captures the vision, objectives and key strategies for the WDCA to 2018. The key strategies contained within this document have been developed in consultation with the WDCA s many stakeholders. This Plan and visioning statement looks to align grass roots initiatives with the Strategic Plans of both Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria. In working with the strategic imperatives of these organisations it is hoped the WDCA s key strategic initiatives, actions and goals align to give our players every opportunity to take their cricket to the highest level, ensure our clubs and our Association remain sustainable and maintain the relevance of cricket within the communities in which we live. Challenges identified facing the WDCA include: Maintaining the sustainability of our clubs; Attracting umpires; Attracting volunteers; Retaining cricketers between eighteen and thirty years of age; Administrative succession at both club and Association levels; Junior Development; Managing the quality of our facilities; Maintaining turf wickets; Building sponsorship; Suitable training facilities; and Engaging our communities. The Association plays a significant role in supporting cricket in North East Victoria. In addressing both the short term operational issues and long term strategic imperatives, it is hoped the WDCA will be a vibrant sustainable Association providing future generations of cricketers and the communities in which they live the opportunity to participate in, contribute to and celebrate cricket in North East Victoria. Page 3

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS 1. Assist participants to learn, develop and excel; 2. Celebrate and support volunteerism; 3. Build upon our facilities and capital infrastructure; 4. Showcase our competition. Page 4

ASSIST PARTICIPANTS TO LEARN, DEVELOP AND EXCEL The ability to continually develop and improve is intrinsically linked to the ongoing enjoyment of the game and continued participation. Players, umpires and coaches at all levels need to be able to identify a clear pathway which will enable them to reach the highest standard of competition possible. In conjunction with Cricket Victoria, key developmental focuses centre around female participation, umpire participation, coaching accreditation and representative tiers. MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIES Build coaching stocks Support funding and hosting coaching accreditation programs; Encouragement of clubs through ongoing communication and ultimately sanctions Association level Two Accredited Coaching Mentor; Increase umpire numbers and capability Increase accreditation courses; Engage players to interact with umpires appropriately; Increase payment for accreditation qualifications; Develop significant umpire awards; Develop junior umpire program to increase likelihood of representative honours. Develop a female competition: Encourage girls to participate in In2 Cricket (Milo cricket); Encourage girls to participate in lower age junior competitions; PERFORMANCE TARGETS TO 2018 Level Two Accredited Coach on WDCA executive; Accredited player and umpire development courses conducted annually; A girls competition; Every club has a fully accredited coach Assist teachers in teaching cricket in primary school programs; Entice Australian/ Victorian women s cricket match to Wangaratta. Player Development Actively source and promote recognised player performance development programs and conduct annually; Have sports men s nights to showcase stars and inspire young players A ratio of 1.2 umpires available per game scheduled Page 5

CELEBRATE & SUPPORT VOLUNTEERISM The ability to effectively operate any organisation utilising volunteer labour can be extremely challenging. Invariably key people within these organisations either burn out or simply run out of energy. The key to successfully operating community sporting groups and associations is a strong committee, ably led with individual portfolios and areas of responsibility. Equally as important is the recognition and celebration of the work our volunteer force does. Every club has their heroes who faithfully prepare the pitch, stock the drinks fridge and tidy the rooms. It is critical that we recognise their contribution and capture their knowledge if we are to undertake effective succession and ultimately achieve grassroots sustainability. MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIES Administrative Officer part time Implement a sustainable funding model for this position; Develop club minimum compliance and governance standards; Identify grants to assist in building club and volunteer capacity; Develop a club governance audit to assist clubs recognize capability gaps and strategies to address them. Publish How to Guides, Operations Manuals and Calendar of Events to assist club volunteers and minimise the impact on their time. Association to conduct induction for club board members annually Club Development Program In association with Cricket Victoria, encourage clubs to work through the Club Development Program to share the workload and ensure compliance. PERFORMANCE TARGETS TO 2018 Have a paid part-time position to support our clubs; Conduct corporate governance training and induct new club and Association executive members; Develop a Club Succession Strategy Program Clubs have captured the intellectual knowledge to operate sustainability not reliant on the knowledge of individuals; Association Executive Document a Board skill profile and target people to fill capability gaps. Encourage the participation of women on Club and Association Boards Demystify Executive by defining the roles and sharing the workload. Celebrate Our Volunteers Conduct annual Association Volunteer Awards Implement a themed round to celebrate the work of volunteers. Page 6

BUILD UPON OUR FACILITIES AND CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE The WDCA recognises that in order to give participants the best opportunity to develop it is critical that the Association have adequate facilities and infrastructure. In order to maintain junior cricket participation it is critical that adequate hard wicket grounds are sourced and secured over the long term. Grounds with appropriate scale boundaries set realistic expectations and even the battle between bat and ball. The Association recognises that in order to play cricket at a higher level, players need exposure to turf wickets. In providing turf wickets it is critical that they be audited to ensure a fair contest between bat and ball and the safety of the players. The Association has scheduled two significant capital improvements into the plan. These being a quality indoor training facility and adequate lighting to host a night game with a view to accommodating the expanding popularity of 20Twenty cricket. MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIES Hard Wickets Develop sufficient hard wickets to adequately accommodate junior and senior cricket competitions Put in place sustainable maintenance programs which take the responsibility of the maintenance of grounds away from clubs; Encourage clubs to meet in strategic locations to reduce the burden of distance particularly for parents and coaches at junior levels. Turf Wickets Support all A Grade and A Reserve clubs to cultivate turf wickets; Conduct a wicket audit to identify potential barriers to achieving a turf wicket; Hold seminars in turf wicket horticulture, preparation and maintenance; Undertake annual assessments to manage quality and consistency across the organisation. Indoor Training Facilities Develop an Indoor Training Facility Master Plan; PERFORMANCE TARGETS TO 2018 Seven hard wicket facilities in and around Wangaratta; Outsourced and sustainable ground maintenance program; A Grade and A Reserve teams with high quality turf wickets A purpose built, high quality indoor training facility; Identify funding opportunities to develop the facility; Engage community and key influencer support. Night Cricket (20Twenty) Work in with RCoW Sporting Precinct Master Plan to light a ground to hold twilight matches; Water Resources Each club to document and submit a template Water Resource and Sustainability Plan annually. The ability to host night matches; Sustainable infrastructure throughout the competition Page 7

SHOWCASE OUR COMPETITION In order to gain the community recognition and support which is critical in achieving our Association vision we must showcase our game. By presenting cricket at the highest level possible both in terms of representative cricket and Premier cricket, we are promoting the game, its people and its importance to key stakeholders across our region. If Local Governments, media and communities are to support our competition and in doing so enable cricket to be acclaimed the regions premier summer sport, it is critical that they recognise the broad community appeal and interest cricket holds. People will embrace sport played and displayed at the highest level and it is essential that we as an Association pursue this as a key strategic imperative. MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIES Representative Cricket Communicate the prestige and historical perspective of playing representative cricket; Pay a players allowance; Support players in negotiations with employers; Build media presence and interest in representative cricket. Premier Cricket Host a district cricket event annually by maintaining strong ties with an individual District Cricket Club; Ensure a local representative at VCCL level to keep the WDCA, its people and facilities at front of mind and identify opportunities. Develop closer ties with Women s Cricket Associations; Develop marketing materials in conjunction with local councils to showcase WDCA facilities; Strategic Partners PERFORMANCE TARGETS TO 2018 Players will vie for representative cricket honours; Players are compensated for their participation at Representative Cricket Competitions; A Representative team at Melbourne Country Week at provincial level; A first class match is showcased and event managed in Wangaratta annually; A women s cricket carnival is hosted; Wangaratta recognised by Cricket Victoria as a premier country cricket hub. More 18-30 year old participants playing and leading the competition Identify key influencers in Local Government, media and the broader cricketing community and ensure these relationships are fostered and maintained; A non affiliated WDCA Executive member to attend at every Club to increase communication channels; Invite key influencers to functions to build awareness, understanding and empathy for challenges faced by the WDCA; Work with sporting bodies closely to accommodate18 30 year old age participants more effectively Marketing Document an annual Marketing Plan to maximize the impact of communication strategies, channels and scarce resources. Page 8

21 Cusack St Wangaratta (03) 57223810 www.sedconsulting.com.au (03) 5721 7545 www.totalmarketingsolutions.com.au Wangaratta & District Cricket Association Inc. Clem Fisher Pavillion, Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta Showgrounds. P O Box 702, Wangaratta, Victoria, 3677 Phone 0428 5050 94 wangaratta@asn.cricketvictoria.com.au http://wangaratta.cricketvictoria.com.au (Affiliated with the Victorian Country Cricket League and N E Region 6)