Welcome

On behalf of the Taradale Cricket Club welcome to you all to the summer season of 2023-24.  Hopefully the Taradale Cricket Club can bring you the pleasures and satisfaction gained from a season of cricket whether that be as a player or a supporter.

Once again, we will be involved in all aspects of Junior cricket and an exciting summer is expected. The schedule is jam packed with Sunday Club Superleague, cricket camps, friendly internal and local club games, school competitions and representative team selection. We have a lot to look forward to welcome all families returning or new the Taradale family for what promises to be a great summer.

Beginners

Year 3 to Year 4 - Smash Play Cricket Programme.  Introductory programme, skill based. Best suited for first time or soft ball cricketers. 

Teams 

We have 6 Year Group teams - see table below

Year 4/5 is a transitional grade to hard ball cricket

Year 6 and above is hard ball cricket

Club games are played on Sundays during Term times except for tournaments e.g. HB January cricket camp.  We sometimes organise internal club games.

Mission Statement

The Taradale Cricket Club seeks to facilitate and improve the standard of all our junior players in the Taradale, Greenmeadows and surrounding areas by providing the necessary organisation and expertise to enable children to improve their cricket skills and knowledge, as well as enhancing their self-discipline, fair play ideals and self-esteem.

Cricket Etiquette

A high standard of behaviour and cricket etiquette will be expected at all times.  Children will be referred to parents or caregivers if behaviour causes concern. Children behaving inappropriately will be sent home and/or stood down from training or a fixture.

Age Group and School Year Definitions

Junior cricket is divided in to age groups and year groups.  As determined by HBCA age groups are according to birthdays with a cut-off date of 1st September and a Year Group is the school year at the start of the cricket season or term 4 at school.  Players stay in this Year Group for the entire season.

​​​​​​​At the discretion of the Club Coach and the Management Committee players may be placed in teams above or below their designated groups according to experience, skill and attitude.  Approval from HBCA is required for players playing down a year group.

Please note:  HB representative teams can be by Age Groups or Year Groups e.g. Under 19 - DOB at 1st September.  Representative teams start at Year 9 to Under 19s

Club Practices

Training, coaching and practice is an essential part of cricket and those players dedicated to these tasks will succeed.  Attendance and attitude at practice will influence selection of age group teams for Superleague and Camps.  Drills and technique training will be provided during designated age group sessions.

Players are to wear their club practice shirt (if you have one), shorts or trousers, sports shoes and hat.  A water bottle is essential and bring a practice ball if you can.

Players are to attend practice sessions at Taradale Park after school during term time.

Health and Safety

Coaches will try to minimise harm by providing a safe environment and proper instruction on the use of compulsory protective equipment that is supplied.  

A lower abdominal guard known as a ‘box’ is compulsory but these are not compatible with boxer style underwear and children must wear briefs.  It is further suggested that children obtain their own ‘box’ if possible.  Helmets are available for use and are to be use in the nets.

Please be aware of cricket balls travelling thru the air or along the ground during practice and games.

We ask players to reframe from warming up or hitting and throwing balls around or behind spectators as someone could get seriously hurt.

It is compulsory to wear a hat or cap during practices or games preferably a club one.

We strongly encourage the use of sun screen.