Sponsored by Notts Sport ECC European Div 4 Championship Belgium August 2006 ECC European Div 4 Championship 2006 Sponsored by Notts Sport Saturday 26 auguSt to WedneSday 30 auguSt, 2006 BELGIUM Contents Message from the ECC Welcome to Belgium Tournament Details Hotel & City Info Country Profiles The ICC European Development Programme Countries Cyprus, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia Tournament Officials Tournament Referee: Richard Cox Umpire Manager: Dennis Stones Tournament Organiser: Ken Farmiloe Website & Results Tournament Website: www.cricketeurope.net/ECC Website: John Elder & Rob Lyall Regular updates on site Host Clubs Antwerp CC, Mechelen CC, Royal Brussels CC Cricket Belgium and the European Cricket Council express their sincere thanks to all sponsors, organizations and host clubs for their generous support of this tournament. eCC european diviSion 4 ChampionShip 2006 Welcome to the ECC European Division 4 Championship which is taking place in Belgium from 26-30 August and is now part of the ICC World Cricket League Qualifiers. The format of the tournament has a very different shape to that we have previously provided since the program started in 1997. Due to the additional resources in terms of grounds which Belgium has, the tournament will be played to a 40-over format, allowing Division 4 teams to play a longer game than usual at this level. Due to the withdrawal of the Czech Republic, four teams will compete in a round robin format, and with the first year of the new European structure at this level the winners will be promoted to the 2007 Division 3 tournament. As there is an additional day due to the change of format, an inaugural European Division 4 Twenty/20 Challenge will take place on Day 5, allowing all teams the chance to experience the shorter version of the game as is now part of an ICC World Championship in South Africa in 2007. Personally I would like to thank the Tournament Organiser Ken Farmiloe, ICC Regional Tournament Referee Richard Cox, all the match officials involved in the tournament and the many volunteers throughout the clubs who have worked so hard and kindly hosted matches. Good luck to all involved and please ensure you perform within the spirit of the game and therefore enjoy it even more. Yours sincerely Richard Holdsworth ICC Regional Development Manager – Europe WelCome to Belgium On behalf of the Belgian Cricket Federation, I am delighted to welcome all teams, officials, supporters and guests for the ECC European Division 4 Championship sponsored again by Notts Sport. I hope you will enjoy your short stay and that the cricket lives up to your expectations. We recognize that our central location, partner hotel, Ken Farmiloe facilities and grounds are ideal for hosting an ECC CEO/Chairman, Belgian Cricket Federation tournament. Although, for the second time, Belgium, as host, will not be participating, we offered to host the tournament to help out the ECC. This is due to the ECC’s considerable support for Belgian cricket over the years, which is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank the chairmen of Antwerp CC, Mechelen CC and Royal Brussels CC for agreeing to host the games. Their support for ECC tournaments has been quite fantastic over the last few years. The many volunteers from their clubs will ensure your stay is memorable. I know it is not easy for countries to find funds to cover costs for such a tournament so we have endeavored to keep the costs to a minimum. At times, it may mean waiting for a coach to turn up but please understand that this is due to cost cutting. Finally, many thanks must go to Richard Holdsworth and his staff for the considerable work put into ensuring an enjoyable and efficient tournament. May I mention Louise Kent in particular, who works tirelessly behind the scenes. We very much hope you enjoy your visit. tournament detailS The Tournament Director’s Briefing is compulsory for all coaches/ managers and captains • Please be ready to board your bus at least 15 minutes prior to departure time • Packed lunches are provided on all days Friday, August 25 • Umpires & Scorers Meeting Corinthia Hotel, Chambertain Room (lower ground floor) 15.00 hours (3.00 pm) • Tournament Director’s Briefing (Compulsory - coaches/ managers & captains) Corinthia Hotel, Chambertain Room (lower ground floor) 16.30 hours (4.30 pm) Wednesday, August 30 • Gala Dinner, Margaux 2 Banquet Room, Level -1, Hotel Corinthia, 20.00 for 20.30 hotel detailS Hotel Corinthia- Desguinlei 94, 2018 Antwerp, Tel: 03 244-8211 Facilities: Underground parking (€10 a day); Fitness centre/sauna (complimentary); restaurant; bar; 24-hour room service, business centre with Internet Rooms: Minibar, private safe, satellite TV, data port. To activate Internet in your room,buy a card at reception (€12.50 a day) Location: Close to the Antwerp Ring and a tram ride from the city centre Transport: Tram near the hotel (No. 2 tram, tram stop De Singel) to the centre. Turn right from the hotel towards the traffic lights. For a taxi, telephone Metropole Taxis on 03 231-3131 Nearby Restaurant: Colmar (across road, next to Wezembeek swimming centre) Please note: All bar, restaurant and additional room expenses incurred are on the account of the individual or manager concerned and must be settled prior to departure from the hotel. viSiting antWerp Antwerp is the world’s leading diamond trading centre and fifth largest port. The city has an outstanding artistic and architectural heritage, much of which is located close to the city centre and is easy to explore on foot. The main attractions include: • The Grote Markt and1566 Stadhuis (Town Hall) • Cathedral of Our Lady (with four Rubens paintings) • The Rubenshuis - where the painter Rubens lived and worked (Wapper 9-11; Open all days except Mondays) • Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Flemish masterworks) • Diamond Museum (Koningin Astridplein 19- 23; Open Tuesday-Sunday 1000-1800, Monday 1300-1800) • Shopping – The Meir pedestrian precinct There is a multitude of cafés in the city centre offering a great range of Belgium’s beers (up to 500 at the last count). But beware: some of the beers have an unusually high alcohol content. The city also provides a wide variety of restaurants of all styles and cuisines. Diamond shops tend to be concentrated around the Central Station. Getting There To take a tram into the centre, turn right out of the hotel to the tram stop De Singel. Take the No.2 tram. For a taxi, telephone Metropole Taxis on 03 231-3131. CypruS Cricket has been played in Cyprus for many years, but has mainly been confined to the British Army bases. The European Cricket Council, given the task of promoting cricket throughout Europe, encouraged Cyprus Cricket to form its own organization, the Cyprus Cricket Association, with its own committee and constitution. Since 2003 the Association has been organising cricket on the island, extended the game into the towns, set up a league, started youth cricket in the schools and formed a national team to enter European competitions. The European Cricket Council has provided funds to promote youth cricket and trained coaches to go out into the schools. The British Army has been more than helpful, giving access to its facilities and entering teams into the newly formed league. In fact the 2005 league champions were a military side, WSBA. In 2006 Cyprus has eight league teams made up of cricketers from Cyprus, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Australia and England. There is a Twenty20 knockout competition and an early season Sixes competition. Touring teams come from England in early and late summer to extend their own season and have a holiday in the sun. Finland Although cricket has been played in Finland since the 1970s it is only since the late 1990s that it has been properly organised. The Finnish Cricket Association (FCA) was formed in 1999 and Finland became an Affiliate of the ICC in 2000. Finnish development has involved the productive collaboration of the ICC’s European Development Program and the FCA. The FCA has worked hard to promote cricket as a sport played by Finnish players as well as the international community and some 25% of the country’s 600 cricketers are Finnish. In 2006 there were 11 registered clubs and the championship was split into two events - a 45-over league played by 10 teams and a Twenty20 league contested by six teams. Twenty20 has proved an ideal format and an indoor league is planned this winter. The FCA also maintains co-operation with the Finnish Naval Academy and has introduced over 200 cadets and officers to the game over the last three years. Finland achieved its first tournament win in Croatia in 2002 and has played each summer in European events since 2000. Following a disappointing performance in Division 3 last year, this year’s squad has been largely rebuilt. For the first time, many of these young players have learned and played all their cricket in Finland. With support from the ICC, the FCA translated into Finnish the “Time to Play” manual for teachers and coaches. With the help of this resource for its qualified coaches, the FCA obtained recognition for cricket via the Ministry of Education at the beginning of 2006. luxemBourg Luxembourg is a small state neighbouring Belgium. It accommodates EU institutions and when the UK and Ireland joined the Community in 1973 one result was the birth of Optimists CC. In 1978 Walferdange, near Luxembourg city, offered the Optimist a field and this became OCC’s home for the next 12 years. The fixture list gradually grew longer with opponents coming from Belgium, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.