Tasmania University Cricket Club

Latest News (13th. November 2006)

The Under 13 Girls competition finally gets under way.



The Tasmanian Cricket Association launched a new girls-only cricket competition called the Commonwealth Bank Girls Youth League. The competition aims to give girls aged 8-13 an opportunity to try the game of cricket and develop skills and confidence in an enjoyable atmosphere.

University were pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest shown at Registration day and it was obvious that we would have no trouble getting a team for the competition. Our resident Pom and Junior coach Ned Murray added this team to his coaching c.v. and held three training seesion prior to 'round 1', by which time our numbers were close to entering two teams. And we had another girl join in this evening.

The TCA decided that all games (3 in total) would be held at the same ground each week and University was chosen for the first games. As the total playing area for each match is a 30 metre circle we could have fitted in 6 games. It made for a much more interesting site than having just one game in progress and also ensured that the running of the barbie (with food paid for by the TCA) was a wothwhile exercise!

Given it's Tassie the weather was horrible, with a max. of 12 degrees! The ground was ok though and the rain did hold off for the duration. The games were scheduled to start at 4.30 so by a quarter to four those involved from the Club were arriving to set things up. The first players and parents began arriving about 10 past 4 and by 25 past the ground was full of groups of girls, parents and coaches all practising catching, bowling etc.

Unfortunately there was no-one from the TCA! Just after half past 4 the coaches and parents started organising games but only a couple had the equipment needed. The first TCA guy arrived at 4.40 but was only there to help out. Finally at 4.50 the organising staff arrived with the gear and things began to get under way. Not the best way to introduce cricket to the girls and their parents.

Some teams having too many players (it's 8-a-side) and some too few the teams were equalled out and play got under way. Ned organised the Rainbows who played a Kingborough(ish) team I think. There seemed to be a contrast in ages (the Rainbows definitely on the younger side), abilities (there were a few girls who could get a run in our Third Grade team let alone the boys U 13's) but the enthusiasm was universal.

As things had started late and everyone was new to this we were informed that the games would be shortened (the temperature had dropped even lower by now) so the bbq was really fired up in earnest for a 6.15 rush. Ned obviously had other ideas (or more probably the players) and we began to think he'd started the first Ashes Test and was playing a two innings game!

None of the girls seemed to mind the playing conditions (weather not rules) but the parents were definitely enjoying the tea and coffee! The games finally finished, the snags and burgers totally devoured and the Oval was empty again. The games move to Glenorchy next week - lets hope for better weather and a prompt start.

Thanks to Johnny Gerrard for running the barbeque with such culinary and numerical expertise by the way.

If there are any more prospective players then Email Mike Graham-Smith for further information.


The Rainbows break out the gear.


Ned gives his team talk to Flintoff and co.


Smacked to mid-wicket (with Ponting's bat?).


An action not out of place in other photo galleries.


A very busy University Oval.


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