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The summer cricket season is underway, with both senior and junior competitions welcoming new players and teams, including Matakana’s first-ever junior team.
The team made its debut in the opening round of the mixed Smash Play B Grade competition, for children aged eight to 11, against Kaipara Flats at Point Wells on October 30.
Despite losing by 96 runs, Matakana coach Jack Lusk said it was a special day for the players, who were excited to take part in a proper cricket match.
“They were a little nervous at first, but once they got going, they did really well,” he said. “We were all very proud of how the kids supported each other and put in a great effort against a much more experienced team.”
The competition, which also features two teams from Warkworth, is played on Friday evenings at either Bourne Dean Reserve in Kaipara Flats or a private cricket ground in Point Wells.
The four teams will rotate to play each other twice, as well as taking part in a special match against a visiting team from Whangārei or Mangawhai. Meanwhile, teams from Tomarata and Mahurangi College are also competing in other grades.
“This is the first time in several years that we’ve been able to organise a local competition in Rodney, with four teams from the area,” Kaipara Flats coach Adam Dockary said. “The aim is to grow the competition year by year as cricket continues to regain popularity in the region,”
At senior level, Kaipara Flats represents Rodney in the Northland Premier Grade competition, while Pakiri and Tomarata compete in the Northland Reserve Grade. The local Friday night T20 competition, known as the Waitemata Cup, will also feature Wellsford and Kaipara Flats.
Northland Cricket Association development officer and competitions manager for Whangārei South and Rodney, Liam Jones, said participation numbers were looking encouraging, with strong numbers of new players, particularly in the junior grades.
“One of the biggest challenges across many sports is retaining players through their teenage and high school years. It’s an area we’re focused on, particularly as our younger players progress through the grades,” he said.
“Having children playing against other local clubs is a great step forward, and I’m excited to see how the competition develops as those players get older.
“The work our local clubs and volunteers have done has been exceptional.
“We’re fortunate to have such a passionate cricket community across Rodney, and hopefully we can continue building on that throughout the summer.”
Both junior and senior competitions will run until March.
