The association has made changes to both junior age groups with the Dick Smith Cup Under 16s changing to under 15s. The Max Davidson Shield, which was Under 13, will become Under 12 and adopt the Cricket Australia junior format.

The formats are Cricket Australia adopted policy and pathway, fully supported and implemented by Cricket NSW High performance department. The under 12 competition will adopt the stage 2 format. The changes and subsequent adoption by Cricket Australia follows a successful pilot trial in 2016-17 season. Cricket Albury Wodonga was one of 16 regions across Australia that trialed the pilot program.

Cricket NSW Murray Regional Development Manager Robbie Mackinlay is a huge supporter of the changes.

“In my opinion it is the best thing to happen to junior cricket in decades – the results and feedback from the pilot were so positive”

“The game being played now in the three stages/phases is much more aligned to how kids see cricket on television and it simply is more fun.”

“The foundation junior cricketers generally make up 90 per cent of kids who play the game and it is critical that the formats encourage and inspire these kids to stay and play.”

Mackinlay outlined reasons behind the CA changes and the outstanding results from the pilot.

“Junior clubs have told us their biggest challenge is to keep kids in the game. We needed to listen and respond to these concerns.

“Our studies and research found the large amount of down time along with the inaction that can occur during a cricket match were the primary problems.

“Last summer we piloted formats from U10-U16 years to increase activity and improve skill development in a game that got everyone involved and took much less time than the versions they played previously.”

So, what are the changes?

Stage 1 will be played by children 10 and 11 on a 16m wicket with seven fielders. Stage 2 is played by 12 and 13-year-olds and has an 18m wicket with nine fielders. At Stage 3, U15 children and older progress to a full-length wicket with 11 fielders.

Cricket NSW will conduct two workshops before the season starts to inform clubs, parents and players. Mackinlay said these sessions were critical in showing the participants and clubs just how the new formats run. “We will be showing how to set up the field of play, including the boundaries, creases and a few handy hints along the way.”

Workshops will be at Culcairn Sportsground from 5.30pm on October 6 and Lockhart Sportsground from 5pm on October 11.