This page contains info on our Saturday Junior cricket programs for 2023-24. For other programs and general info about Parklands Cricket, click here.
2023-24 REGISTRATIONS
Registrations for Saturday Cricket for 2023/24 have now closed. E-mail us [email protected] to enquire about late registrations.
When registering, you'll first need to create a login for New Zealand Cricket's "PlayHQ" system as a parent and can then register your child or children under that login.
Pricing Information
We're pleased to offer the lowest base junior cricket fees in Christchurch as we continue to grow our club and aim to get more young players into cricket and team sport.
Years 1 to 4 - $60
Years 5 to 7 - $80
Year 8 (Half Season) - $40
Pay online when registering by credit card, or choose "Pay Later" to pay to our bank account (due by 31 Nov 2023): Westpac 03-1597-0013393-00 - use name/year as a reference
See anzcricketworld.co.nz/grants for grants or e-mail us to discuss payment plan options if needed at [email protected]
HAVE A GO!
If you're not quite ready to register but want to see if your child (Year 0 - 8) would enjoy playing and practising cricket at Parklands, come along to one of our FREE "Have a Go!" sessions next to the cricket nets at Parklands Reserve, 77 Queenspark Drive:
- Wednesday, September 6, 4:30 - 5:30PM
- Wednesday, September 13, 4:30 - 5:30PM
- Wednesday, September 20, 4:30 - 5:30PM
These sessions will introduce your child to cricket skills and teamwork through fun games and challenges. The emphasis is on enjoyment, participation, and age appropriate skills, so don't worry that we are not teaching Kane Williamson's technique just yet! Skills and correct technique will be gradually introduced throughout the season, but at these sessions we want your child to have fun and to want to continue playing cricket.
You can attend any number of sessions, but please register with your child's name and age at [email protected] and please also follow our Facebook page for any cancellations.
School Sessions
Parklands Cricket are also running "Have a Go!" sessions during school hours at Marshlands, Parkview and Queenspark Schools. Check your school newsletters and Facebook pages for more info.
WELCOME DAY
We welcome new and returning players to our "Welcome Day" on Saturday, September 16 from 3PM to 6PM between the cricket nets and the clubrooms at Parklands Reserve, with the clubrooms and bar also open.
Club volunteers will be available to answer any questions or take in-person registrations and we'll have fun games and challenges running for the children and even adults who are welcome to try the "max speed" setting on our bowling machine!
No registration required - see you there, but check our Facebook page for cancellation in the event of rain.
SATURDAY CRICKET 2023-24
Season Dates
The season starts this year on Saturday, October 14 and runs until the Christmas break on December 9. There is no cricket on Canterbury Anniversary weekend but there are games on the Saturday of Labour Day weekend.
Play resumes on Waitangi weekend, February 3 and then continues every Saturday from February 3 until March 16.
Please see our full Calendar here.
Your team/grade may also have an additional Friday night game on Hagley Oval - dates to be confirmed.
What and When?
The format and time of play depends on the grade. See this grade info summary from Canterbury Junior Cricket, but in short:
- Kiwi Cricket (Years 1 to 2) start at 9:30AM on Saturdays and play a "Pairs Cricket" format with soft balls where everyone gets an equal turn bowling, batting and fielding. 6 players per team and only 90 minutes!
- Years 3 to 4 is similar to Kiwi except uses a slightly harder "incrediball", wooden bats are allowed, with 8 players per team. Games start at 9AM and last roughly 2 hours.
- Years 5 to 6 can progress from a soft ball to a hard ball with full protective equipment but still mostly play a participation focused, "Pairs Cricket" format starting at 9AM and lasting roughly 2.5 hours.
- Years 7 to 8 is more like "traditional" cricket where players can be out after a short grace period. Starts at 9AM and lasts roughly 2.5 - 3 hours. Year 8 players play a half season then progress to play cricket with their high school after Christmas.
Friday night games start at 4:30PM or 5:30PM depending on the grade.
Where?
Regular home games are played at Parklands Reserve or ocassionally Queenspark Reserve - see our field maps here. Away games could be anywhere in Christchurch but are often grouped by section/area so will be in the North and North East - see the CJCA maps here.
Dispensations
You can choose to place your child in a higher grade (for example to play with a family member) but this is at your own risk - please e-mail [email protected] if you'd like to do this or add a note when registering.
To play down a grade, dispensation is required from Canterbury Junior Cricket so please also e-mail [email protected] if you think you'd like to do this.
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Clothing
Parklands Cricket supply a playing shirt for your child and your team will be supplied with a gear bag with enough bats, balls, tees and practice gear of the appropriate sizes for your team.
Players should wear plain white shorts or cricket pants - these can be found at shops such as Rebel Sports and The Warehouse or for cost-effective options try McCracken Sports in New Brighton.
Years 1 to 4 do not require any protective equipment though you can choose to use some if you wish. Cricket/gripping shoes are also not required at lower grades - comfortable running shoes will suffice.
There is no specific clothing requirement for training.
You may choose to supply your own bat, but in Kiwi Cricket only yellow plastic bats can be used. Please see the New Zealand Cricket gear guide here here for recommended bat sizes for your child's height.
Parklands United Sports Club also offer club branded apparel for purchase at our online store.
Equipment and Facilities
Depending on the grade and team, you may make use of the nets at Parklands Reserve or practice "in the open" near them. Our artificial pitch has recently been upgraded and another is also available at Queenspark Reserve.
We also have bowling machines, catching practice nets ("Crazy Catch") and other tools available for your coaches and teams to use.
TRAINING
For Saturday players, you will have an additional training/practice on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights.
The start date and time for this will depend on your volunteer coach and other players, but as an indication, most teams usually train for around 45 to 60 minutes starting from 4:30 - 5:30PM.
During registration, you will be asked to indicate your preferred training day which will assist us in grouping players into teams.
COACHES, MANAGERS AND SCORERS
Parklands United Sports Club and Cricket are a fully volunteer sports club. We rely on parents to volunteer to coach, manage and score for teams and while this is a time commitment it is also incredibly rewarding.
Full support for coaches is provided including help with arranging practices, games and resources. Coaches will also attend a pre-season session run by Canterbury/New Zealand Cricket.
If you are interested in helping out please indicate on the registration form or e-mail [email protected].
CLUB NIGHTS AND OTHER EVENTS
Parklands Cricket run regular Club Nights and Events through the season for our players and parents. Each Club Night has a bar, food and fun games and activities for the kids. Players of the Day and other achievements will be recognised and our focus is entirely on the junior grades.
Each club night also has a "Host Team" who will assist with activities, duties, and will be introduced player by player to the club.
Please see our full Season Calendar here for club night dates and details.
CONTACT US
If you have any further questions on the season or about Parklands Cricket please don't hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to welcoming you to, or back to, Parklands Cricket this season.
Matt Smith
Cricket Convenor
027 466 4444
[email protected]
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