Welcome to season 2024/25, I know a lot of you are caught up with winter sport however I need everyone to switch across to cricket for a few minutes to help us plan and organise our teams for the season ahead.
Balwyn CC Youth Development Squad (YDS) – Season 2024/25
Coaches
Firstly, I’m excited to announce that we have retained the services of our three coaches from last season:
Jack Lyndon will continue to head up the program and look after the Sunday U15s and Craig Shield Team.
Simon Greene will continue to be an assistant coach and support Jack with both the Sunday U15s and Craig Shield Team.
Vihaan Narayana will continue as a coach of the program and will take charge of our Friday night U16s.
Jesse McInnes has been appointed as the new senior coach for the club and will support our program with some specialist sessions during the season.
Teams
At this stage, we are expecting to lock in around 30-32 players in the squad. They will be spread across 2 teams + the Craig Shield:
Under 15A – Playing on turf in the ISEC competition on Sunday mornings (same as last season). The U15 squad will be capped at 16 players
Under 15 Craig Shield – Playing in the VSDCA JG Craig Shield, a team of 13 players will be selected + 2 emergencies. The Craig Shield team will be selected from our U15s.
Under 16A – Playing on turf in the ECA competition on Friday nights (same as last season). U15 and U16 players from last season will be given first preference to join our U16A team.
Under 15s & Craig Shield
To select a squad of 16 players for our U15s, both current and new U15s will be invited to try out for the Craig Shield team in late July/early August.
There are 7 home and away games followed by finals for the top 2 teams from each of the 4 divisions. Round 1 this season starts on Sunday 12th January.
Action: To all parents - if you know of any high potential cricketers who may be interested in trying out for our U15 program and Craig Shield team, please send them this and ask them to complete the player nomination form above.
Under 15 & Craig Shield Trials
Venue: Saxon Indoor Sports, Croydon
Time: 8am to 9am (arrive by 7:50am)
Dates:
Saturday 20th July
Saturday 27th July
Saturday 3rd August
Saturday 10th August
Action: As outlined above, those wishing to try out for our U15s should complete the U15 player nomination form.
Under 16s
At this stage, we will have one Under 16A team playing in the ECA competition on Friday nights.
The team will play all home games on turf at Gordon Barnard Reserve.
Action: If you are interested in playing in the U16A team this season, please complete the U16 player nomination form
Youth Development Squad Training
Same as previous years, the U15 & U16 Youth Development Squad will train fortnightly on Monday nights from 5:45pm.
YDS training will commence in September.
Senior Training
All U16s are encouraged to train with the seniors at least once a week (either Tuesday or Thursday nights)
Action: Players are also invited to attend senior pre-season training which commences on Sunday 28th July. Check out the preseason schedule:
Apparel
We are now taking orders for apparel through the Balwyn CC Online Shop: https://balwyn-cricket-club.square.site/
Personalised training tops take around 5 weeks from date of order so we will aim to put our first order in by late August so that they are ready by Round 1.
Cost/Fees
YDS - 1 Team (either U15 or U16) = $280.
YDS + Seniors - 2 Teams (U15/U16 + Seniors or U15 & U16) = $370.
Craig Shield = $220 (additional fee for those playing in the Craig Shield).
Fees cover YDS umpires (not seniors), coaching, turf wicket preparation and new cricket balls.
Fees will be payable through the Balwyn Play HQ site in September.
If you have any questions about our program, please drop me an email, give me a call or get in touch via the Contact Us page.
Chris Wilks
Junior & Youth Development Co-ordinator
Balwyn Cricket Club