Cricket Blast (formerly Junior Blasters) is a specially modified form of the game to provide introductory cricket activity for boys and girls between the ages of 5 – 7 years, using specialised equipment and simple rules – plastic bats and stumps, soft balls, reduced pitch and ground size.

We were one of a handful of Clubs who developed Kanga 31 years ago so we have a lot of experience in what Cricket Blast is about.

Criucket Blast is played for fun. Along the way, our kids learn about the great game and are prepared for organised competition in the future.

There are 2 x playing options:

Saturday morning

• Starts on Saturday 7th October 2023 until Saturday 23rd December 2023. After a break we start-up again on Saturday 25th January 2024 and conclude on Saturday 16th March 2024
• Games are played between 8.00 am and 9.30 pm

 ‘Twilight Tuesdays’

• Starting on Tuesday 10th October and follows the same timeline as the Saturday program
• Games are played between 5.00 pm and 6.30 pm.

This season (2023/24) has the following dates:

• Registrations (on-line) open – Monday 3^rd July2023
• Starting Saturday 7^th October 2023
• Holiday break – Saturday 23^rd December 2023 (last game)
• Resuming – Saturday 25^th January 2024
• Last game & Presentations – Saturday 16^th March 2024.

The season concludes with special games and a presentation ceremony on Saturday 16^th March 2024 at Edward Bennett Oval.

If you are interested in finding out more please email our Director  Cricket Blast  here or phone Dani on 0408 597 645.

Registration can be done online – Register here

Please also feel free to refer any questions to our Criucket Blast Director, Danielle on 0408 597 645  or Email .

While registrations are taken throughout the season, it is advisable to register early so your child can play in the same Team as their school mates.

When can I register?

On-line Registrations open on Monday 3^rd July 2023. Be quick though to ensure your child guarantees their spot to play with their friends.

How do I register?

Register via our website – Register here

The cost of all playing gear is included in our Registration fee. The process to follow flows once you start the registration process.

Coaching gets a high priority. For Cricket Blast, parents typically coach Teams. They are supported by coaching guides continuously developed over the many years we have been running the Program.

An Introductory Coaching course is run before the season starts.

We also have full-time Club Coaches who attend every session to both support and ‘Coach the Coach’ whenever needed.

We also have an accredited Coach attend every day providing regular advice and guidance to our Coaches who require any support.

Our Club is a strong supporter of the Cricket Australia standards where children are involved. Checkout our dedicated section of the website on Child Protection & Safety for a detailed explaation – here

All matches are played at Edward Bennett Oval, Cherrybrook.

Our Club has a proud reputation of sportsmanship across all grades and especially in the Junior competition.

Why?

We have a formal policy of ‘Participation Over Results’ where each child gets equal opportunity to participate throughout the year – in all Grades from Junior Blaster’s to Under 17’s.

A copy is available on the website – please take time to read it. It will give you an understanding of what we expect of our players, and from you, as a parent, spectator or coach.

There is lots of parking available in the West Pennant Hills Sports Club. Enter the car park via 103 New Line Road.

Before the season starts everyone involved in Cricket Blast is invited to our Parent Information Night (via zoom). This explains everything you need to know about the season and gives you the opportunity to answer any questions.

The date for the night is to be decided closer to the start of the season. More info will follow closer to the day.

It is important to be on time. Sessions run from 8am to 9.30 am, each Saturday. There is no midweek training. We ask that you be at the ground on opening day by 7.45am, so that teams can be organised and introductions made. Your child will be allocated in advance to a team that is named after a famous test match venue (e.g. SCG, Adelaide, Lords etc…).

Where possible, children will have been placed with nominated friends. This becomes more difficult with late Registrations.

Please feel free to refer any questions about team allocations from parents to our Cricket Blast Director, Dani Chivers on 0408 597 645 or here.

Each Saturday, Team coaches conduct skill sessions on the basics of throwing, catching, batting and bowling, using drills and exercises from our own Skills Manual.

As these skills develop the children will be introduced to more advanced drills, and modified versions of ‘grown up’ cricket.

The size of our Club ensures a smooth development pathway for your child. After 2 seasons of Cricket Blast, children graduate to U8’s or U9’s team, progressing each year until Under 17’s.

From there, they can progress to Seniors, where we have Teams of all skill levels. The Girls pathway also takes players to the Senior cricket in the Sydney Grade competition.

Interestingly, many dads (and mums) have chosen to return to cricket to enjoy playing alongside their children in Senior cricket.

Beyond this, we enjoy excellent relations with Northern District Cricket Club, who play in the Sydney Grade Premier Competition – which is a stepping stone to playing for NSW and then Australia.

Current commentator and former Captain of the NSW Women’s Cricket Team, and Vice Captain of Australia, Lisa Sthalekar, was one of our Juniors.

Included in your Registration is:

• Cricket Blast T-shirt with your name on it
• Bucket hat with your favourite Big Bash Team
• Plastic Bat
• Rubber ball
• Personalised bat stickers

In the event of wet weather, the Junior Blasters Director will make a decision by 7.15 am on Saturday.

If play is to be cancelled, a Team App notification will be sent out to all registered participants advising cricket has been cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact your team manager only after this time on a Saturday morning.

Remember, no notification means games are ON.

You’ll find out about our Club’s history, personalities, upcoming events and current scores from all teams on our website. Looking forward to seeing you this season.

Introduction

The WPHCCC has a “Participation over Results” policy in Junior Cricket – Junior Blasters, Girls and Boys. Coaches are encouraged to make sure that all players get equal amounts of batting and bowling over a full season – especially in the younger age groups.

For us, the development of cricket at a Junior level is more important than winning trophies. For our Club, success is about retaining or increasing the number of boys and girls playing cricket.

Please remember:

• children play to satisfy themselves and not adults or members of their own peer group
• cricket must be administered, taught and provided for the good of all children who want to play the game. It is their game!

Player’s Code

• Cricket should be fun. Play because you want to.
• Play by the rules and spirit of the game
• Don’t argue with umpires. Never dispute an Umpires decision by word, gesture or action.
• Sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is dumb and not good enough. This includes unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and Team motivation.
• Be a good sport; acknowledge good play, by your team and your opponent
• Bullying or taking unfair advantage of any player is not on. This includes on-field intimidation and off-field bullying by SMS and/or chat-rooms.
• Co-operate with your coach, manager, team-mates, umpires and opponents – without them you don’t have a game.

 Parent’s Code

• Parents are encouraged to actively participate wherever possible. Things like; scoring, umpiring or just being there supporting your child. Cricket, in our Club, should not be seen as a baby-sitting service. Your child will be the winner.
• Remember, children are involved in cricket for their enjoyment, not yours
• Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather that winning or losing
• Never ridicule or yell at any child for making a mistake – it is only a game.
• Children learn best by example; applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team
• Derogatory comments about your own team or other players is unacceptable
• Respect Official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise. Officials are volunteers and without them, your child won’t have a game!
• Differences (gender, ability/disability, cultural) are irrelevant – treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Spectator’s Code

• Children play cricket for their own fun; they are not there to entertain you and they are not playing for sheep stations.
• Be on your best behaviour; don’t use bad language, harass players, coaches or umpires
• Show respect for the opposition, without them there would be no game – applaud good play from both teams
• Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake during the game
• Respect the umpire’s decision – always
• Encourage players to play within the laws and spirit of the game.

Coaches Code

• Young people participate for the fun of competing – not just the winning.
• Think about measuring your success by the number of children wanting to play next season. Win/loss ratios are forgotten about at the end of the season and are not important.
• Put things in perspective and move on after adversity – look for the learnings. It is only a game.
• Encourage lots of laughter and a sense of fun
• Make mistakes, give it a go – get involved and don’t take yourself too seriously.
• Never ridicule or yell at a younger player for making a mistake or not coming first
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm
• Sudden change – practice adapting to it. Try players in unfamiliar positions and multi-skill every player
• Operate within the rules and Spirit of Cricket and teach your players to do the same. Show control and respect to everyone involved in cricket. Encourage your players to do the same
• Avoid overplaying the talented players; all young players need and deserve equal time, attention and opportunities
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of players
• Consider attending a Level 0 / Level 1 Coaching course run through the Club, on behalf of Cricket NSW
• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate
• Praise children in public but never criticise them in front of their peers
• Give everyone a ‘fair go’ gender, ability, cultural background or religion doesn’t matter.

Umpires Code

• Act on unsporting behaviour from both sides and promote respect for all opponents
• Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive – you set an example
• Anyone participating as an umpire, is, according to the Laws of Cricket, deemed to be an umpire. Accordingly, there are responsibilities imposed on them by the Laws:
  • Firstly, the person must act as a qualified umpire – conducting themselves in a dignified way, give decisions in an unbiased and impartial manner and not become involved in lengthy conversations with the players on the field.
  • Secondly, the players are to show proper respect to that person and the decisions given as they would a qualified umpire.

Penalties

• People who choose to play for our Club do so knowing our expectations on behaviour. Should there be breaches of our Code the Club’s Disciplinary Committee will look at issues referred to it as necessary.

In our 29 years of Kanga/Junior Blasters we have not had one child injured. However, sometimes accidents may happen.

Your fees in part pay for limited Personal Accident Insurance cover (including Non Medicare Medical and Capital Benefits). Details of this insurance are available at www.jlta.com.au or by contacting a representative of the Club. We still encourage you to have your own personal insurance cover.

Further, as we are incorporated, every Volunteer (Coach, Manager and office bearer) is protected with a blanket Professional Indemnity cover of $20M and Personal liability cover of $1M.

Finally, thank you for your participation and support and we hope that you will have an enjoyable season.