CL CLUB YOUTH FORUM (19.2.2023)

The CL Club Youth Forum took place today (Sunday 19th February) at the Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley.

The session MC’d by Meena Baskarasubramanian (Chair CL Youth Committee) with 44 people in attendance from 23 clubs across the province.
The 2023 Youth Committee was confirmed as follows:

Meena Baskarasubramanian (Chair)
Shirley Doyle (Secretary)
Osama Fuzail Mohammed (Castleknock)
Rajesh Seshan (Adamstown)
Jim Stewart (Greystones)
Robert Delaney (Mullingar)
Kenny Carroll (Railway Union)
Nicola Rautenbach (Terenure)

The session included specific briefings covering the National Development Programmes (Smash-It & It’s Wicket), Child Safeguarding & Coach Education followed by a more lengthy discussion on plans for club cricket at youth level for 2023 and beyond.

Our thanks to the various presenters - Aideen Rice, Emma Butler and Naomi Scott-Hayward.

Key points discussed included:

- League fixture programme from early May to mid-August, dispensing with the proliferation of league finals (instead clubs will be provided with medals for local recognition).

- Full flexibility for clubs on fixture making using a CL template for website & reporting.

- Further work with other Competition Committees to address ground/time allocations for the 2024 season.

- Focus primarily on soft-ball, 8/10 aside pairs cricket, shorter pitch lengths for both boys & girls up to end Primary School age with emphasis on simple regulations which maximise participation for all.

- Mixed options will be encouraged with a strict requirement for a minimum number of girls per team.

- Coloured clothing for girls (all ages) and ideally for boys too.

- Cup competitions will be on a knock-out and age basis at Under 13 and Under 15 levels only (as feed to All-Ireland competitions & alignment with other PUs).

- Soft Ball option open for Girls up to Under 15 (Junior) Level with participation rules (max balls per batter, minimum balls per player etc).

- Hard Ball option restricted to A level only to end Primary School age with participation rules (max balls per batter, minimum balls per player etc).

- HBL style club competition for Girls at secondary school age alongside increasing participation in ‘adult’ cricket.

- District competitions retained at schools level; underage representative cricket from Under 13 and above only (both boys & girls).

Note: This last proposal was robustly challenged with many delegates strongly in favour of retaining Under 11 representative (Interpro) cricket albeit with increased transparency around processes for player inclusion, selection etc.

Additional supports from Cricket Leinster were outlined as follows:

- €400 coaching credit to any club providing validated club blitz & club friendly fixtures in the 2023 season (time allocated within the season schedule for friendlies).

- Shared Youth Development Plan for each club with CL Development Officer support and mutual commits.

- Localised CL run & club-based Blitzes in July & August – 100 CL participation medals for distribution by each host club.

- CL to provide all equipment included branded cricket sets.

- Coaching Kids (5-11 years) course place provided (FOC) to any club with both boys & girls youth programmes in 2023.

- Leagues will be played on a home & away basis, typically 9/10 teams each.

- Clubs will be encouraged to have set days of the week for each category (helps schedule planning for all stakeholders, clubs, players, families etc).

- There will be a major focus on collaboration with clubs outside Greater Dublin and introduction of specific age appropriate midlands competitions.

In summary, there will be a major focus on player retention initiatives, increased participation (fun) and age-appropriate performance programmes.

Thanks to all who attended and contributed to a great discussion - lots for the new committee to work on in preparation for the season ahead.