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More Twenty20 games, coloured clothing and midweek fixtures part of push to attract more under-17 cricketers

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Junior players Manypeaks' Oskar McSweeney, Railways' Angus Clarke-Smith, Royals' Oliver Harrington and Collingwood Park's Chaz Durack are hoping more players sign up for this season’s under-17 competition.
Camera IconJunior players Manypeaks' Oskar McSweeney, Railways' Angus Clarke-Smith, Royals' Oliver Harrington and Collingwood Park's Chaz Durack are hoping more players sign up for this season’s under-17 competition. Credit: Laurie Benson

A move to play more Twenty20 games in coloured clothing and avoid lengthy matches on Sundays is part of a new push from the Albany and Districts Cricket Association to attract more junior players.

Participant numbers in the ADCA’s under-17s competition have dropped off in the past couple of seasons, with teams forced to field less than the required 11 players or get cricketers from the under-14s to fill in on a regular basis in 2024-25.

In a bid to recruit new players, the ADCA along with their participating clubs have made the switch to play the majority of this under-17s competition as T20 games.

All teams will use white balls and wear coloured tops and pants while the other big shift will be moving away from the usual Sunday timeslot.

Last season’s under-17s competition comprised of mainly 45-over per side matches.
Camera IconLast season’s under-17s competition comprised of mainly 45-over per side matches. Credit: Laurie Benson

In the new competition proposal, more than half the season will feature T20 games played midweek under lights and just a handful of games on Sundays.

ADCA under-17s co-ordinator Darryl Robinson said the aim was to attract more junior players to register.

“We are hopeful a move to more T20 fixtures during the week will get some more kids to sign up,” he said.

“It can be hard for some kids to give up their whole weekend to cricket, Saturday with seniors and then Sunday with juniors.

“This change can hopefully allow more kids to play under-17s, in a shorter and exciting format.”

There is still likely to be a round of longer format, 45-over per side games on Sundays but Robinson said reducing that weekend burden was the feedback received from players and parents in the last few seasons.

Organisers are planning for a five-team under-17s, with Collingwood Park, Manypeaks, Mt Barker, Railways and Royals nominating teams.

Albany and Districts Cricket Association are calling for more young players to join the game this season, with their under-17 format to consist of more T20 games with coloured clothing and white balls.
Camera IconAlbany and Districts Cricket Association are calling for more young players to join the game this season, with their under-17 format to consist of more T20 games with coloured clothing and white balls. Credit: Laurie Benson

All new players based in Albany will enter a player draft between the four Albany clubs.

Expression of interest forms that all new and returning players must complete are now out https://www.cognitoforms.com/AlbanyDistCA/U17sEIO.

Any interested players can contact Robinson on 0407 413 973 or via email at adcassc@outlook.com.

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