Oakleigh Cricket Club Junior Development Program and History
Oakleigh Cricket Club re-introduced its junior progam in season 2003/04.
Commencing with two U11 teams, fed from previous Milo Have-a-Go attendees,the program focusses on participation, with all children at U11 level being guaranteed a bat and a bowl every weekend. Bowling limits of 3 overs and forced batting retirement at 25 are both restircitions set by the SDCCL to ensure particiaptiion from all children at this level. Oakleigh supports this initiative 100% and we have found that children and parents have responded very positively to this initiative.
In 2003/04 the club founded an enthusiastic and cheerful group of children, assisted by a very supportive parental group. Not knowing what level of opposition to expect, the two teams set about playing good participative cricket, and happily, immediately began winning games, culminating with the Oakleigh U11 Purple winning the premiership at their first attempt, with a result of 9 wins and just one loss. Oakleigh Gold finished 5th of 8 teams with 3 wins.
Expanding in 2004/05, the club fielded 2 Sunday U11 teams and a Friday night U13 team. The U13 team, full mostly of 11 year olds and playing against older and stronger boys, acquitted themselves very well, winning 4 games and finsihing 9th of 14. The U111 competition again thrived, with Oakleigh Purple and Gold dominating the competition. The U11 Purple team went through undefeated, winning the premiership, whilst the U11 Gold team lost just one game, in the celebrated "Oakleigh Derby" played at our main ground, when the margin after two days play was just 5 runs -in Purple's favour.
The club is looking to expand its junior program even further next year, with 5 junior teams. Fo any enquiries please contact the club's junior co-ordinator - Neil Croft on 0411 017 717
Rowland Williams Trophy - Junior Cricketer of the Year
2003/04 Massi Akbari (Oakleigh Gold)
2004/05 Robert McCarthy (Oakleigh Purple)
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