Junior boost at Red Cliffs

IN what is believed to be a first in modern cricket times, there will be five junior games on at once at Red Cliffs’ Quandong Park complex this weekend.

The Red Cliffs Cricket Association’s (RCCA) club-run juniors had fallen by the wayside, but there has been a revitalisation in junior numbers for the competition – from six children to 38 over the past three years under the auspices of the association.

This weekend, as well as having a Red Cliffs team in the under-14 Division 2, there will also be two Red Cliffs teams in the Junior 2 grade, while Irymple are hosting two Junior 1 grade games at the complex, which is a positive sign for junior cricket.

It’s a far cry from the usually scarce cricket at the complex’s grounds during the morning as it awaits the start of RCCA A and B Grade cricket in the afternoon.

While largely giving the children of current senior cricketers a chance to play for the association their fathers play in, it has also worked the other way with some players who help fill in the numbers for B Grade now able to play for Red Cliffs with players their own age.

RCCA junior co-ordinator Geoff Christensen has been one of the main forces behind the boost in Red Cliffs junior numbers, working with local schools to get kids out and playing cricket.

“I think it’s great for the Red Cliffs competition and the community as well,” Christensen said.

“It’s great to have kids around the Red Cliffs competition again. It’s good for everyone, hopefully we can keep it going.”