WCC tries to make junior cricket as accessible as possible. We work to obtain grants and sponsorship so we can keep costs low. Cricket doesn’t involve a huge investment in equipment or uniforms, though some may be necessary. Junior teams will have shared safety and protective equipment, or they can buy their own. When you join up a junior player, you will get details of uniforms and some items may be included. Compared to many other sports, cricket is good value for money! Contact us with any concerns about costs as we want all interested families to be able to join our club. We are also working on establishing ways for second hand items to be re-used in the club - stay tuned!

Outside of the training times for the teams, yes, absolutely! Please use the nets as often as you would like.

Each team has an appointed coach, usually a parent of a player. Coaching training is provided during the season. If you are interested in coaching please contact the Junior Co-Ordinator. If you are not the coach, there are still many ways to help. You can assist the coach at training with setup, packup or helping run drills. At games each team requires an umpire and scorer so parent help is needed for these tasks. Speak to the team coach to arrange this. All volunteers assisting with the team need to have a current Working With Children Check. Click here to go to the Service Victoria website.

Home games are played in Woodend at either Gilbert Gordon oval or Racecourse Reserve (beside Buffalo stadium). Away games are generally played against neighbouring towns within 15-30 minutes drive. All training is held at Gilbert Gordon Oval.

The cricket season runs over summer through school terms 4 and 1. Games run from mid-October until mid-December and then resume in early February with finals (for the competitive grades) in early March. This allows a good holiday break in the middle of the season.

In addition to their kit, please ensure that all players have an adequate supply of water, a snack, sunscreen and a hat/cap for sun protection. It is recommended that they have a few clothing layers available earlier in the season as our local weather can be unforgiving kn the early morning or later evening. Once the weather does warm up, long sleeves (or Sparms) are useful for sun protection and a hat/cap is essential.

Junior Blasters is suited to 5-6 year olds. This is for kids new to cricket, all equipment is provided, parents are essential and involved in every session. All kids get their own Blasters Pack and wear the colours of their favourite Big Bash team. Master Blast is suited to 7-8 year olds or players that have already shown their capability through Junior Blast. The focus of Master Blast is on skills with short modified games. All equipment is provided and all participants receive with a cap from their favourite Big Bash team as well as a shirt. ​ U11 cricket is generally suited to 9-10 year olds based on our experience. Particularly keen or skilled players may start U11 early, usually where they have participated in Master Blast and the coaches feel they are capable of moving up to U11.

Both Junior Blast and Master Blast are held Monday Nights from 5-6pm at Gilbert Gordon Oval. Before Christmas, the sessions will take place on Monday 11/11, Monday 18/11, Monday 25/11, Monday 02/12, Monday 09/12 There will then be a Christmas Party on Friday Night 13/12. In the New Year the session will take place on Monday 03/02, Monday 10/02, Monday 17/02, Monday 24/02, Monday 03/03. See you there!

Each player will be sent a kit from Cricket Victoria which should include a shirt and a hat. All other equipment is provided by the club.

Please do! Contact us to talk about coaching, umpiring, managing teams or behind the scenes support. We’re always on the lookout for more helpful hands or to promote and support our club. Or, even just spread the word around the community that we have teams for girls and boys of all abilities looking for some activity and fun over the warmer months!

Emma Bradford is our Girls Cricket Coordinator, you can call her directly on 0422 441 899.

No! We welcome all skills and abilities. Our focus is on fun and friends whilst teaching cricket skills along the way. More experienced players will also be supported to extend skills whenever possible.

Girls are an important part of our club! We are aiming to significantly increase female participation and want our junior girls to love coming to play at WCC. That’s why we have plenty of options for junior girls including: - Cricket Blast: for everyone aged 6-9 - Under 11s: for everyone aged under 11 - Under 13 girls side: for girls aged 9-13 - Under 13s: for everyone aged 11-13 Juniors can also play in more than one side as a fill-in or to play on extra days if they wish (provided they are not too old for the age group). Any families with girls interested in playing are encouraged to contact us for more information and to discuss their options and any questions or concerns.

We do have a small stock of second hand kit that you are welcome to use. Speak to your junior coach when training starts. We encourage everyone to consider returning any kit that they grow out of so it can be recycled to others in the club.

Each player will need the following: · Bat · Pads · Gloves · Protector · White/Cream long trousers · Helmet (mandatory when batting or wicketkeeper) · A bag to carry it all in Please clearly label your kit in the event it is misplaced. Especially at the U11 level we do not recommend you purchase the more expensive kit as it does not last long before your child grows out of it.

When you first sign up with the Woodend Cricket Club, you will receive: · Playing Shirt · Social Shirt (to be used as a training shirt) · Cricket Cap (velcro size adjustable) Please ensure that you label everything as they can easily get misplaced. New Apparel like shirts, caps and vests can also be purchased from the cricket club.

All U11s receive a participation medal. For the older age groups we award 3 medals: for bowling, for batting and a coaches award. Top performers in the competition are also eligible to receive awards from the Gisborne District Cricket Association.

Yes, each age group plays to a specific set of rules defined by Cricket Australia here. The Gisborne District Cricket Association (GDCA) in which we play also publishes junior playing rules here.

Players must meet the age group criteria on 1 September. Girls may, if preferred, choose to play one age group lower than their age dictates. Players may apply for dispensation to play in a higher or lower age group if there are extenuating circumstances.

Currently junior cricket is not graded and the teams in each division are determined geographically. Our selection panel will do their best to include a range of abilities on each team and also attempt to keep groups of friends together where possible.

Yes, this is possible and encouraged if they are keen to be involved in cricket. Please speak to the coach or the Junior Coordinator to arrange this as we can waive the playing fee. They still need to be registered as a junior player for insurance purposes.