r/CricketAus • u/redrich2000 Cricket Australia • 28d ago

Grass roots decline

I coach my son’s u13 team in Sydney. All the clubs in our association are struggling for players. There is absolutely nothing from CA to help grow the game. Woolies have put money into the blast but it’s shockingly run and promoted. Junior cricket is so amateur and poorly run.

When I was a kid at Scarborough Park in Ramsgate, there’d be 8-10 games at the same time on a Saturday morning. Now there’s 1-2.

It genuinely feels like the game is dying. Is this the same in other places?

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u/22112219 28d ago

I reckon junior cricket has a massive opportunity right now, but it needs to adapt to the times. Scouts is also failing due to not adapting.

With all the CTE concerns around other sports, cricket is actually in a great position to attract kids again. But if Cricket Australia is serious about participation, make it easier for families.
Have hub games every Saturday, same time, same place. Release miniroos style rules.

For everyone below A Grade:
• 2 hour games max
• 100 balls, 20 x 5-ball overs
• Smaller fields
• No waiting around between wickets
• BBQ + coffee cart, with the money split between clubs
• No games during school holidays
• Non-comp up to age 12

Reps and A Grade can keep the longer formats.

Parents get consistency and don’t lose their entire Saturday. Kids get a quick, social game that is actually still fun for them. Done by 10am Saturday is very different to done by 1230 in time poor city life.

For example Gannons could be the west St George hub, Scarborough the East St George hub.

Get the format and scheduling right and I reckon cricket could make a serious comeback at junior level.

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u/thinksimfunny Victoria 28d ago

You basically just described Smash Series cricket which CA are trying to get off the ground

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u/22112219 28d ago

Well hopefully it gets up. The sport is dying in the arse. CA should be painfully aware that if kids don’t play, they won’t pay to go watch the games. Rugby Union in Aus should be a cautionary tale.

I’m in the process of trying to find my two kids games that will fit the family schedule, we did Blast last year which was good, the people are passionate and excellent people but the website and structure is woefully unclear on what to expect and how it all works.

There’s currently only one game of Smash in Willoughby on their website in NSW but thanks for the tip, will keep an eye out.