What to expect at each grade
Midgets (Y1-Y4)
At this level it is all about having fun. The skill is to be able to disguise teaching the basic skills as a game in order to retain interest. The club supports NZ Cricket’s Milo Coaching Program. The program is an introductory, pre-competition or ‘nursery program for beginners. It provides us with the structure to introduce 6-8 year olds to the essentials of cricket.
The cricket skills are taught through a progression of sessions. The emphasis is on fun and participation in a variety of play activities, drills and minor games. Young cricketers do not learn skills simply by playing. Skills must be taught and practiced. Cornwall’s Milo program will be completed, weather permitting before the Christmas break In parallel with the children’s program, a program for coaches and parents is run by Auckland Cricket.
Year 5 – Introduction to Hardball
By Year 5, a player should be able to grasp the idea of understanding faults and work on fixing them. These years are critical for making correct technique a habit. This is the grade where players take the step into “proper” cricket where pad and more importantly a hardball is introduced. Prior to the season starting, players are put through an introduction to give them skills to cope with the change in the type of cricket they will be playing. Teams play with amended rules and there is an emphasis on giving everyone a go.
Coaches at this level should be preparing to attend a Level One coaching course. A Level Two qualified coach will be available to attend some of the team’s practice sessions during the season.
Year 6
This is the first grade where team are streamed. The skills learned at Y5 are reinforced at this level. Year 6 is also the first grade that starts playing in Saturday inter-club competitions. Players in the Premier Grade from this level on will tend to complete their own winter training programs either with a group or on an individual basis.
Most coaches would have completed a Level One coaching course. There is an emphasis on fault analysis and reinforcing the basics. A Level Two qualified coach will be available to attend some of the team’s practice sessions during the season.
Year 7
Year 7 is the top of our Junior division. Players can start to specialize in a particular discipline (batting, bowling, keeping) if they wish. Players from this grade on are eligible to be selected for district cricket. This is one step below Auckland representative level. There is still cricket for more social cricketers.
Coaches at this level would be expected to have completed a Level One coaching course. A Level Two qualified coach will be available to attend some of the team’s practice sessions during the season.
Year 8
At this level teams play in ACA competitions in either the Year 8 grade or U14. All competitions are graded so there is cricket available for all abilities. There is still cricket for more social cricketers. Secondary school cricket makes an impact in the second half of the year as players move to new schools in the New Year and some make the decision to play either school or club cricket. There are keen ones who will play both. Teams may need to be re-worked as a result.
Coaches at this level would be expected to have completed an ACA Level Two course. A Level Two qualified coach will be available to attend some of the team’s practice sessions during the season.
Girls Cricket
Girls play mixed cricket up to Year 3. From Year 4, they have the choice of continuing with the boys or switching to the girls grade. All girls make the switch from Year 5. The girls’ grades start at with an U12 grade. This is the beginners grade for most girls and a hardball is used. There is a good mix of older beginners and younger more experienced players. Coaching at this level is similar to Y5/Y6 boys’ cricket. There is an element of coaching basics and fault analysis.
The next step is the U14 grade. This is for 2nd or 3rd year cricketers and older beginners. Coaches at this level would be expected to have completed completed a Level One coaching course. For both U12 and U14 amended rules are applied with a view to increasing participation. Girls will then move on to the Premier Youth grade. This grade is open to all girls up to Y13 at the start of the season. Coaches at this level would be expected to have completed a Level Two course.
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