The annual local junior competitions—Milo, T20 Blast and Weston Shield—is being revised by YDCA to best meet the new guidelines and formats.

“This latest move from Cricket Australia is mainly about providing some consistency in regulations across Australia,” YDCA President Dave O’Brien said.

“Most junior clubs have, in the past, made their own rules and so inter-region competitions were a bit messy at times,” he said.

Cricket Australia says the aim is twofold: to improve consistency in regulations and to increase fun, action and skills development in young players.

Depending on age group, the revised guidelines vary and impact regulations such as pitch lengths, boundary sizes, ball type and size, protective equipment, dismissal types, fielding and rotation in bowling and batting.

Mr O’Brien said he believed the new guidelines also aimed to “capitalise on junior cricket, which has grown about 16% in the past year”.

According to Cricket Australia’s Community Cricket website, the revisions are based on independent research and community consultation, including feedback received at The Australian Cricket Pathway Roadshows.

The Milo in2CRICKET program aims to develop skills and an enthusiasm for the game for 5-8 year olds while the Milo T20 Blast is relatively new and aimed to be a “super fun, social, safe cricket program for boys and girls,” O’Brien said.

“The T20 has been going only for the past 2–3 years, and it’s in the style of the Big Bash tournament on TV,” he said.

Both the Milo and T20 programs run from October 22–December 10.

The Weston Shield, which runs from October 22–December 10 and during first term in 2017, is for older juniors between 10 and 14 years old.

Registrations for players are opened at yassjca.nsw.cricket.com.au.

The YDCA is currently seeking assistance with the operations and administration of its junior cricket programs in 2016–17.

Interested volunteers do not need previous coaching experience.

“The beauty for parents when they volunteer is that they can get out there and participate in drills too,” O’Brien said.

For more information about how you can assist: