Ready for step up
Northern Beaches proudly enters A grade competition
A GRADE cricket is coming to the Northern Beaches.
Townsville Cricket has accepted an application from the Northern Beaches Cricket Club to play in this season’s local A grade competition, with home games to be based at the club’s Kilcora Park base, otherwise known as “The Green”.
The upcoming 2018- 19 A grade season starts in three months, and Northern Beaches are putting the final pieces in place to be ready come September.
“It’s been a goal of ours for the last few years to play in A grade, and for us it’s all about having a club where our junior players can go all the way through to seniors,” Northern Beaches Cricket Club president Jim Sullivan said.
“Our senior reserve grade team lost by a single run in last year’s semi- final, and even though it was disappointing at the time, it really set the catalyst for discussions to move into A grade.
“We’re based in our growing part of Townsville and we have a great pitch and amazing facility. It feels like we’re at that stage where it’s time for us to make that step up.”
Northern Beaches played their first season of cricket in 2008- 09, fielding just one junior side.
Last season the club fielded teams in most junior grades and had squads in all three lower divisions of senior Townsville cricket.
“We’re happy to take all comers, anyone is welcome to play for us, but we’re not interested in pinching players from other clubs,” Sullivan said.
“We want to develop our own players and stand on our own two legs when it comes to seniors.”
Townsville Cricket president Peter Fry said the time was right for Northern Beaches to make its A grade move.
“The northern beaches area is a steady growth corridor within the Townsville region, with new schools, businesses and housing developments all contributing to becoming home to many Townsville families,” he said.
“It’s this area where Townsville Cricket sees future growth in participation at both junior and senior levels.”
Sullivan said upgrades to their Kilcora Park facility, including the installation of a new clubhouse and lights for their training nets, had built up the club’s strength to be an A Grade contender.
Players interested in getting in contact with Northern Beaches Cricket Club can visit the club’s Facebook page.