Welcome

A warm welcome to the 2026/27 summer season at Taradale Cricket Club.

Whether you're a player, parent, caregiver or supporter, we are delighted to have you with us for another exciting season of junior cricket.

At Taradale Cricket Club, there's something for everyone - from children picking up a bat and ball for the first time, through to experienced and representative players.  Our focus is on providing a positive, fun and supportive environment where our juniors can develop their skills, make friends and enjoy being part of the game.

Once again, we'll be involved across all areas of junior cricket, including Super Smash, Sunday Club Superleague, school competitions, cricket camps, friendly matches and representative opportunities for the older age groups.  It promises to be another full and fun summer of cricket.

Girls Cricket

We're especially excited to continue growing girls' cricket at Taradale Cricket Club.

For the 2026/27 season, we are excited to be offering Girls Hard Ball Cricket, including dedicated practices and games.  This is another important step in creating more opportunites for girls to play, develop their skills and enjoy cricket in a fun and supportive enviroment.

Alongside our Girls Smash programme, we want to provide a pathway for girls to enjoy cricket from their first experience with the game through to hard ball and representative cricket.​​​​​​​

To our returning familes - welcome back!  And to those joining us for the first time - we're really pleased you've chosen to become part of the TCC family.

Beginners

Year 2 to Year 4 - Super Smash Cricket Programme (Boys & Girls)

An Introductory, skill based programme best suited for first time players and those beginning their cricket journey with a soft ball. 

Year 3 to Year 6 - Girls Smash programme  

Designed for girls who are new to the game as well as existing young cricketers, who want to enjoy and develop their cricket in a low-pressure, inclusive setting.

Junior Teams 

We have seven Junior Year Group teams - see table below.

Year 4/5 is our transitional grade towards hard ball cricket. 

Year 6 and above play hard ball cricket.

Club games are played on Sundays during school terms, except where tournaments or other events are scheduled, such as Hawke's Bay January cricket camp.  We may also organise internal club games and friendly matches throughout the season.

Our teams can include both boys and girls, however we will be providing an all girls team this season (Year 5/6 - Year 7/8).

Mission Statement

The Taradale Cricket Club seeks to facilitate and improve the standard of junior circket in Taradale, Greenmeadows and surrounding areas.

We aim to provide the organisation, coaching and support our young players need to improve their cricket skills and knowledge while developing self-discipline, teamwork, fair play, confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of the game.

Cricket Etiquette & Behaviour

A high standard of behaviour and cricket etiquette will be expected at all times.  

We want Taradale Cricket Club to be a positive and enjoyable enviroment for players, coaches, families, officials and opposition teams.  Players are expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship and fair play at practices and matches.

Where behaviour causes concern, coaches or managers will discuss this with the player's parent or caregiver.  Continued or serious inappropriate behaviour may result in a player being asked to leave a practice or fixture or being stood down from cricket activities.

Age Group and School Year Definitions

Junior cricket is divided in to age groups and year groups. 

As determined by Hawke's Bay Cricket Association (HBCA), age groups are based on birthdays with a 1 September cut-off date.

A players Year Group is based on their school year at the beginning of the cricket season (Term 4) and players remain in that 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. 

HBCA approval is required for players playing down a Year Group.

Please note:  Hawke's Bay representative teams may be organised by either Age Groups or Year Groups.  Representative opportunites generally begin from Year 9 to Under 19 level.

Club Practices

Training and practice are an important part of developing as a cricketer.

Regular attendance, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn will help players get the most from their cricket.  Attendance and attitude at practice may also be considered when selecting teams for Superleague and cricket camps.

Coaching, drills and technical development are provided during designated year group sessions.

Players should come to practice with:

• Club practice shirt, if they have one
• Shorts or cricket trousers
• Suitable sport shoes
• Hat or Cap
• Water bottle
• Practice ball, if available
• Sunblock, preferably applied beforehand

​​​​​​​Junior practices are held at Taradale Park after school during term time.

Health and Safety

The safety of our junior players, coaches, families and supporters is extremely important.

​​​​​​​Coaches will work to minimise risk by providing a safe training environment, appropriate supervision and instruction in the correct use of protective cricket equipment.

A lower abdominal guard known as a ‘box’ is compulsory for hard ball cricket.  Players are encouraged to have their own correctly fitting protector and suitable supportive underwear.

Helmets must be worn where required for hard ball batting and net practice.

Cricket balls can cause serious injury, so everyone around practices and matches needs to remain aware of balls being hit or thrown.

Players must not warm up, hit or throw cricket balls in areas behind or around spectators.

A hat or cap is compulsory during practices and games, preferably a Taradale Cricket Club cap where available.

We strongly encourage all players to apply sunscreen regularly, bring plenty of water and stay sun-smart throughout the summer.

Most importantly, we want every junior player to have a great cricket experience - play hard, play fair, support your teammates and enjoy your cricket!

We look forward to seeing you at Taradale Park for another fantasic summer.  Go TCC!