JUNIOR cricket numbers in Sunraysia are booming heading into the new season.
After a long winter with no sport, the Sunraysia Cricket Association’s under-16 competition will increase to eight teams, while there are expected to be 13 teams in the under-14s.
The junior season will launch the SCA’s summer of cricket on October 17, with the senior competition to begin on October 31.
A team from Red Cliffs has been added to the under-16 league, with Coomealla-Wentworth and Workers Gol Gol merging to make up the eight teams, with representation from every other club.
SCA president Andrew Farley said clubs were reporting a “bit of a rush” of players keen for some action as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
“It certainly helps with the easing of New South Wales border restrictions, which has made life a bit easier, so the numbers are looking good,” he said.
“To have eight under-16 sides is fantastic. It is a combination of a couple of things. We have had a strong under-14 program for the last couple of years and that has translated to the under-16s this year.
“Traditionally that age group it is hard to keep kids on the park, but we will keep building that strong under-14 program and hopefully that will continue to benefit us long term.”
The SCA senior competition will see games all played on one day this season, with a 21-round season ending in late March.
The women’s competition will begin on October 30.
