T20 targets young recruits

The Upper Great Southern Cricket Association will enter a new era this summer, with more opportunities for juniors to play the game and the merger of Narrogin clubs.

For the first time, 11 and 12-year-olds will have their own dedicated cricket program, from October 22.

Every Monday night for eight weeks on the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association’s turf in Narrogin, children in the age group throughout the region are invited to play in a T20 friendly competition.

Secretary of the Association Peter Baker hopes that the new program will boost the sport’s profile in the region.

“The T20 game for under-12s is a new thing we are running this year to bridge the gap between age groups and make it more fun and to hopefully increase participation,” he said.

“This will take place on the hockey pitch with modified rules to make the game more fun.

“Get kids involved and getting them enjoying cricket, hopefully move them up into the senior competitions.”

The competitive Lindsay Scott Shield will continue.

However, the age group has been moved up from an under-13s to under-14s competition this season.

Woolworths has also come on board as the new sponsor for the Junior Blasters and Master Blasters program — designed for five to eight-year-old and nine to 10-year-old players respectively.

The Narrogin Junior Cricket Club and Towns Cricket Club are set for a merger in an attempt to streamline opportunities for players hoping to continue their cricketing careers after finishing in their junior competition.