Cricket's summer season is about to heat up with registrations now open at all clubs in the Illawarra.
Senior players, from 1st to 4th grade, will return to the field early in October, with junior players starting from October 11.
The upcoming season is set to be an exciting competition.
After two years without a top-tier team, Helensburgh Cricket Club will return to first grade competition this season. The Tigers will be looking to make their mark against rival clubs like Northern Districts, Corrimal, and University of Wollongong.
Northern Districts received the 2024 Cricket NSW Community Club of the Year award and will be a team to watch this season.
With newly appointed head coach Anthony McQuire, West Illawarra Cricket Club expects to see growing success.
Other clubs in the competition include the Illawarra Passionate Cricket Club (IPCC), Dapto, Keira, Port Kembla, Balgownie, and Wollongong.
The junior season is a key focus for Cricket Illawarra, with competitions for Under 10s, 11s, 13s, 15s, and 17s. Young cricketers will play on Saturday mornings, with the popular Cricket Blast program for kids up to 10 years old.
Cricket Blast introduces kids aged three to six to the fundamentals of the game. Last season, 17-year-old Helensburgh senior player Jack Cattley was among older cricketers mentoring Cricket Blast beginners.
“I find it rewarding. You can see their progress through the season, and then hearing their name in a few years playing Under 13s or Under 15s is pretty rewarding," he says.
This season, Jack will be wicket keeping in first grade competition, and is excited to get back to his team and community.
“I've been playing with this group of guys my age since I started at about six years old. I’m looking forward to pairing up with my mates again," Jack says.
“You get a good sweat up and have a good run around with your mates every Saturday. We also try to get involved with the community as much as we can. Whether that be raffles or fundraisers for our sponsors or the community."
Liam Burrill from Helensburgh Cricket Club plays Under 15s and also played senior cricket last season. He is excited for the new season after having represented Cricket Illawarra and Greater Illawarra Youth Championships sides over the past two seasons.
"My favourite thing about playing cricket so far is having fun with my friends, representing Illawarra and Greater Illawarra, and taking wickets and scoring runs," he says.
"This season, I’m looking forward to playing more grade cricket and hopefully taking more wickets in both representative and club cricket.”
Club contacts for registration
- Helensburgh Tigers Cricket Club: Visit www.helensburghcricketclub.com.au
- Northern Districts Cricket Club – The Butchers: Email info@butchercricket.com
- Corrimal Cricket Club: Contact via Facebook or email: corrimaldcc_secretary@outlook.com
- Wests Illawarra Cricket Club: Visit westsillawarracricket.com.au, email info@wicc.com.au
- University of Wollongong: Facebook or visit uowcricket.org.au
- Illawarra Passionate Cricketers Club (IPCC): Facebook or email passionatecricketersclub@gmail.com
- Dapto Cricket Club Inc – The Canaries: Facebook or email dcc160yrs@gmail.com. Website: daptocricketclub.com.au
- Keira Cricket Club: Facebook, email keira.cricket@gmail.com or visit keiraccnsw.cricket.com.au
- Port Kembla Cricket Club: Facebook or portkemblacricket.com.au
- Balgownie Cricket Club: Facebook or balgowniecc.com.au. Email: Balgowniecricketclub99@gmail.com
- Wollongong District Cricket Club: Facebook, email wollongongdcc@hotmail.com, phone 0419 165 015, wollongongcricket.com.au
