More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Australian Cricket Pathway Backyard to baggy green cricketaustralia.com.au More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY A pathway for all Cricket is Australia’s favourite sport; millions enjoy the opportunity to play this great game and rise through its ranks. Cricket is a sport for all and whether it’s adults clear pathway for them to succeed. While not playing club cricket or kids having their first hit, everyone can fulfil the dream of representing having fun is a priority. But we’re also dedicated their country, it’s good to know there is a clear to helping talented players from all backgrounds route from the backyard to the baggy green develop and transition to the next level. and all stages in between. Over 1.2 million people a year play cricket in So whether you’ve never held a bat, are Australia and benefit from the buzz of hitting desperate to get back into it or have a passing the ball, taking a wicket or grabbing a catch, as interest, there’s never been a better time to well as enjoying the camaraderie of being part start playing Australia’s favourite sport. of a team. I wish everyone luck on their We want all cricketers to have every chance to cricketing journey maximise their cricketing skills and enjoy a successful career. Beginning with our great MILO in2CRICKET and MILO T20BLAST for children and working through different representative levels James Sutherland to the national teams, it should be clear to all players that if they are good enough there is a Cricket Australia CEO * Cricket Australia National Cricket Census results 2014-15. 1 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways Australian Cricket Pathway FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Backyard to baggy green 2 3 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY FOUNDATION It’s never too soon or too late to get into cricket. Whether you start knocking a ball around with your family and friends or join up with a club and go straight into the game, there are plenty of opportunities to play. Getting moving, learning the skills and playing and competing build strong foundations. 4 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Learning the skills 5-8 years: MILO in2CRICKET 7-12 years: MILO T20 Blast It’s never too early to get kids Now the kids have learned how started. The MILO in2CRICKET to bat and bowl, the next step is program aims to develop skills into a game environment and and an enthusiasm for the game that’s where MILO T20 Blast for 5-8 year olds. It has been comes in. MILO T20 Blast is running for over 20 years and is an eight-week program a brilliant activity for young consisting of boys and girls that introduces 90-minute games. fundamental cricket skills. Kids hang out with their friends, It takes place on a small pitch with eight players per make new ones, learn the skills and play in a team. side. Each player gets to bat, bowl, wicket-keep and GET field. While waiting to bat, there’s a Skills Zone The basic skills required for cricket include catching, throwing, where children actively hone their skills. MOVING jumping, running and teamwork and all have wider benefits for children. Playing with bats and balls is a fun way to get kids The kids are getting a chance to emulate their In the early stages, interacting with their environment. heroes in the KFC T20 Big Bash League (BBL) and the focus is on parents Women’s T20 Big Bash League (WBBL). creating opportunities They may even get the chance to play at lunch that get kids moving during a Commonwealth Bank Test match. through a range of fundamental movement skills that are required to be healthy, active and involved in sport. Fun times with family and friends from the neighbourhood in the backyard, at BBQ’s and on the beach. State & Territory associations conduct playcricket.com.au Entry Level Program coordinator training 6 7 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Junior competition Junior competition Community Representative & regional School and Club Cricket provide The best juniors will have an opportunities to engage in opportunity to participate in local competition and more specific and regional representative skill development where mastering competitions. The local cricket the basics of cricket are a priority. association or Indoor Cricket Centre plays a critical role in There’s a game, and a standard, providing appropriate for everyone. Any child can play opportunities for the best junior at a junior cricket club. Local clubs are thriving community hubs that cricketers to compete in local and regional representative competitions. SCHOOL CRICKET provide a great environment for kids from all backgrounds to make The School Sports associations in each state also provide opportunities friends and develop their cricket skills together. There is a range of for cricketers to test their skills against other zones and regions. Indoor In conjunction with formats to suit different skill levels and time commitments with Cricket and School Sport Australia also provide opportunities for the States and Territories, T20 Cricket becoming more and more popular. best cricketers at this level to be exposed to various national and School Sport Australia international playing opportunities in their age group. (SSA) and Cricket The focus is on providing an enjoyable cricket experience and this will Australia are working mean playing at the level that suits their current skill level. Ensuring together to strengthen kids are playing at an appropriate level and in the appropriate game and align the Australian format is critical to providing the right challenges to facilitate their Cricket Pathway. The enjoyment and improvement. best players in schools are identified and Sometimes this means talented selected to compete in players might play with older the National SSA Cricket players. Likewise players just Championships at 12’s starting out, may gain more from and 15’s year age groups. playing with younger players who are of a different age but of the same skill level. Community (Level 1) accreditation Representative (Level 2) accreditation playcricket.com.au is provided for coaches and umpires community.cricket.com.au is available for coaches and umpires 8 9 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways FOUNDATION TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Senior competition Senior competition Community Premier Cricket Senior clubs are the heart and soul Premier cricket is the of many inclusive communities. home base for Australian There are many different playing cricketers. All talented cricketers standards and formats that can with aspirations to reach the cater for a variety of needs. top will compete for a Premier Whether you are young or young Club. Premier cricket strives at heart there is an opportunity for to deliver the best possible you to play on a regular basis standards of coaching, experiencing all the physical and social benefits that cricket offers. playing facilities and experience of multiple formats to develop State and Australian cricketers. In many cases our best young talent will also be playing in senior level competition and this is seen as a great way to stretch these players to new heights. The senior club players have an important role to play in mentoring these young players. indoor cricket A host of top-class international players have graced the 100 indoor cricket centres across the country in games that take around an hour to play. There’s competition at state and national level for the best players at both junior and senior level. Community (Level 1) accreditation is Representative (Level 2) accreditation playcricket.com.au provided for coaches and umpires community.cricket.com.au is available for coaches and umpires 10 11 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways TALENT TALENT ELITE & MASTERY TALENT When cricketers are identified, how do we continually develop a players skills to enable them to reach their potential? Thankfully there’s a clear and attractive pathway for cricketers to maximise their talent. 12 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Potential is identified Skill & Determination Premier 1sts, national youth National 2nd tier competition competitions & programs & performance program Cricket’s network of State and Territory In addition to cricket skill – and National Talent staff will identify determination, decision making and the best school and club cricketers. positive self-management are important These players will be challenged elements of a players make up and are further to develop their skills within a key focus at this stage. A greater National Youth competitions. emphasis is placed on the ability of Players at this level will be competing the player to demonstrate both the with Premier Clubs physical and mental skills required. and with State and Territory Youth teams (U15, U17, U19 for males; U15, U18 for females). In additional National youth programs such as the Australian U16 Team (male) , CA Junior Rookie Program (male) and Talent squads (female) are implemented to further challenge Players will have the and stretch these players. opportunity to undertake intense individualised training programs. Regular high level performances at Premier Cricket and 2nd tier State Team level will be a highlight. Australian U19 Team (male) and the National Performance Squad provide an opportunity to gain touring experience both in Australia and overseas. High Performance (Level 3) accreditation mycricket.cricket.com.au is available for coaches and umpires 14 15 More ways to enjoy cricket to enjoy More ways TALENT ELITE & MASTERY Strong Performances Breakthrough National senior competitions Australia A & CBA Shooting Stars This level provides Competition will be fierce within opportunities to taste the the National Senior Competitions conditions and pressures of a (Sheffield Shield, Matador BBQs being a State, BBL or WBBL One-Day Cup, Women’s National Cricket contracted player.