GOING TWENTY20: ODJCA secretary Steve Ryan says kids will love the association's junior Twenty20 cricket competition. Photo: NICK McGRATH 0904nmodjca
IT’S not just the Orange District Cricket Association getting swept up in the hype of Twenty20 cricket with international superstars Chris Gayle, Dave Warner and Shahid Afridi set to take the second KFC Big Bash by storm this summer.
The Orange District Junior Cricket Association’s clubs will this season be contesting the rock and roll form of cricket every Tuesday afternoon.
The format is set to be played on synthetic wickets across the city, with the likes of Moulder Park, Max Stewart Oval and Anzac Park set to play host to a multitude of under 14s and under 16s sides at anyone time.
The news comes just a month out from the start of the 2012-13 cricket season, with both the ODJCA and ODCA set to host a combined sign-on day this weekend at Riawena Oval.
Clubs will be at the ground from 2-4pm on Saturday and then from 10am to 12pm on Sunday.
ODJCA secretary Steve Ryan said the combined sign-on day was a great chance for senior and junior clubs to build a positive relationship while the Twenty20 competition was about giving as many kids a game of cricket as possible.
“Also I think it’s important senior and junior clubs have a relationship,” Ryan enthused.
“The senior teams have to survive on the juniors coming through so if we can promote it together that’d be good. There’s no seniors without the juniors.”
Milo and kanga cricket sign ons will also be at Riawena.
“It’s a participation thing, just about getting more kids playing cricket and Twenty20,” Ryan said.
Budding players who aren’t part of the ODCA senior cricket competition and still 17 years of age will be eligible to play in the ODJCA’s under 16s Twenty20 competition.
Association with a Saturday team is also not necessary.
“It’s just about catering for that over age player who doesn’t want to play senior cricket but there isn’t a spot for him in junior cricket,” he said.
“If that works in well and gets more kids playing, that’d be great,” he said.
Senior cricket season begins on October 6 with the juniors starting the following Saturday on October 13