Seniors

This season (2024/25) we are expecting:

• Registrations (on-line) open – mid-June 2024
• Season start:
  • Pre-season training – starts Saturday 27^th July
  • 1^st game – Saturday 7^th September (T20 Comp) – to be confirmed
  • 1^st Competition game – Saturday 21^st September – to be confirmed
• Holiday break – Saturday 21^st December 2024 (last game) – to be confirmed
• Resuming – Saturday 4^th January 2025
• Finals in late March 2025.

Pre-season training

Pre-season training starts on Saturday 27^th July 2024 at the WPH Sports Club nets (103 Newline Road) and finishes on Saturday 30^th August 2024 – the last weekend before the season starts.

When can I register?

On-line Registrations are open on Monday 19^th June 2023. Only registered players will be considered for selection.

How do I register?

Register via our website – Register here

It is mandatory to wear Club playing shirts and caps / hat.

All clothing (playing shirts, training shirts, caps & hats) are bought via our website – Order merchandise here

The season is played along the following lines:

• The T20 Competition is likely to run between 7^th & 14^th September 2024 (dates to be confirmed)
• The normal competition is likely to start on Saturday 21^st September 2024 (date to be confirmed)
• Games start at 1.00 pm and generally finish at around 6.00 pm – the requirement being that a minimum of 70 overs in a day must be bowled
• 14 x Rounds are played on Saturday’s with a Semi Final (1 Vs 4 and 2 Vs 3) and Final in each Grade
• Competition is played up to and including Saturday 21^st December 2024. We then have a break over Christmas and then restart with a one-day game on Saturday 4^th January 2025
• The Semi Finals will likely be played on mid-March 2025 with the Final played the following weekend over Saturday / Sunday.

Last season (2023/24) saw us enter 15 x teams in A1, A2, B1 (2 Teams), B2, C1, C2 (2 Teams), C3 (2 Teams), C4 (2 Teams), D1 (2 Teams) and D2 Grades.

Congratulations to our 8 x Semi Finalists: A1, A2, B1 Blue, B2, C1, C2 Red, C3 Red; D1 Blue sides.

Congratulations also to our Premiers: B2; D1 Blue plus our Runners-up: C3 Red.

After the game we encourage everyone to come back to the upgraded WPH Sports Club (103 New Line Road).

Everyone is welcome, including the younger players who can have a cool drink in the general Club area.

Introduction

WPHCCC has adopted a “Code of Conduct” policy across the Club. The Code for Seniors has been adapted but the intent is the same – let everyone play and enjoy their cricket.

The Code is our way of acknowledging the importance of the Preamble to the MCC Laws of Cricket – ‘The Spirit of Cricket’.

Player’s Code

• We play to win but we play by the rules and spirit of the game at all times
• If someone is scoring runs against us you don’t have to “give it to him”. Positively encourage our bowlers and fielders to get him out.
• Respect – your Captain, team-mates and opposition. Decisions made by the Captain will always take into consideration what is best for the Team rather than an individual. If any player has an issue with decisions, our Director – Seniors, should be approached to discuss the issue
• Sledging is off limits.
• If someone in our team is acting like a moron “call” the behaviour.
• Never argue with umpires. Leave it to your Captain to question difficult decisions
• No tantrums. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is unacceptable behaviour
• Don’t be a victim and take it out on others. When (it will happen!) you get a bad decision ‘cop it’ and get on with the game. The Umpire is / was probably one of your mates
• Umpires make mistakes. If there is a lack of consistency the Captain can ask for the Umpire to be replaced with proper respect. Never challenge the Umpire’s integrity
• “Walking” when “Out” is your decision. If you don’t walk then fine, but don’t carry on like a victim when you get a “bad one”
• Non-attendance at games after being selected is not on – let your Captain know well before the game. It is your responsibility not the Captain’s.

• Differences in race and ability/disability are irrelevant – treat everyone with respect and dignity
• Please be aware that Juniors role model your behaviour. Things like smoking, bad language, and temper are given legitimacy by your actions.

Captain’s and Umpires Code

• Captains are Leaders. You cast a “long shadow” – please be aware of it
• 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: o 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. o 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.

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 explanation – here

In the first week of May we have our Presentation Night – usually at Castle Hill RSL. It is a big night and a great opportunity to remember past achievements and even sometimes atempt to rewrite history. It is the highlight of the year with a big turnout and a fun night/morning!

This season will revert to ‘normal’.

Two day games

• Matches start at 1.00pm on Saturdays. We would like you to be at the game by 12.30 pm at the latest
• A minimum of 70 overs are bowled which usually takes us through to around 6.00pm. 

One day games

• Matches start at 1.00pm
• Each side faces 35 overs.

Top 4 grades

The top 4 grades (A1, A2, B1 & B2) will be graded based on performance (typically previous season stats), ability, a view to the future development of the player within the Club and team balance (i.e., ensuring there is a good spread of batting & bowling resources to allow teams to be competitive).

The A1 and A2 grades will typically be comprised of a squad of approximately 24 full time players. All players in this squad are expected to be available for either team as selected throughout the season.

The intention is to have a 1-squad mentality and create competition for positions throughout the season. The selectors will endeavour to ensure the club’s best players are placed in this squad.

Remaining grades

Grades C1 and below will be selected on similar criteria, with the addition of:

• Player ratings from Association
• Allowance for playing with mates
• Assessment of player ability by the selection committee – A Grade standard players for example need to play in the right Grades
• Player goals (e.g., develop younger players in a more challenging grade, play older players in less challenging grades).

Other guidelines:

• Fathers & sons  are  encouraged, particularly for groups new to seniors
• As we have a good number of older players (say 45+ years), efforts will be made to spread the older players with higher ratings across lower grades to balance experience.
• While we encourage keeping mates together, we are keen to ensure all players integrate into the Club. We promote knowledge sharing from experienced players as well as foster an environment where players may occasionally need to fill-in with other teams throughout the season.

Here are some umpiring notes particularly regarding laws for no-balls and wides.

here

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