Open letter to all clubs (Juniors): 17 December 2009 This matter will also apply to any junior player playing in seniors. Reference is made to Rule J31 and J41.
At its meeting last night (Wednesday 16 December) the Junior Executive (JEC) further considered its position and advice given about close in fielders on the grounds of health and safety of junior players. It became necessary to follow this up since it has been reported to the JEC that several junior players fielding close in (less than 9 metres forward of the wicket) have been struck recently (and with several very near misses) who were wearing no protective equipment at all.
In its advice sent on 20 November, the JEC asked clubs to be vigilant on this matter, and expected field placements to be discussed with junior coaches and then for it to be actively self-regulated. In the JEC's mind, self regulation also involved a coach (parent, team manager etc) of one side alerting the coach of another side to possible dangerous field placings. To say that some coaches have been less than enthusiastic receiving such advice is an understatement. Unfortunately it has become apparent that self regulation has not worked effectively enough.
Therefore, immediately upon resumption of DVCA Junior cricket in January 2010, a ruling on the number of close in fielders and advice on protective equipment will be imposed for a trial period till the end of the season.
The JEC is currently working on suitable wording and is consulting with a number of other junior cricket associations which have already imposed or are thinking of imposing restrictions; not withstanding the VMCU ruling that no player is allowed inside 9 metres forward of the wicket.
Clubs (or parents) wishing to provide comment or assist in the formulation of advice are asked to do so by no later than 5pm Friday 8 January 2010. The ruling will come into effect as of the Under 14(1) and U16(1) matches beginning Saturday 23 January (already in Under 12s no players at all are permitted within 9 metres). There will also be some direction provided to umpires.
Thank you MARLWOOD RYDER DVCA JEC Secretary/Administrator
Open letter to all clubs (Juniors): 20 November 2009 In the last few weeks the Junior Executive (JEC) has fielded several enquiries and complaints from club coaches and parents regarding the excessive use of close-in fielders in junior matches.
Firstly, clubs are reminded that there is a 9-metre rule in Under 12 cricket (rule J31; and this should be clearly marked). This restriction also applies to Under 12 players playing in Under 14 or Under 16 games.
Of great concern is the growing tendency with some Under 14 and Under 16 sides for a number of fielders to be crowded around the batter most often without any protection whatsoever. It is the opinion of the JEC that this practice is endangering players and represents an unnecessary risk to their well-being on the field. There have also been suggestions that these tactics are being used to intimidate younger batters. In one Under 14 game last week it was observed that there were five (5) fielders all within 3 to 5 metres of the bat and only one of those was wearing a helmet, shin guards, mouthguard or any form of protection.
Clearly such unsafe practices cannot be allowed to continue. BEFORE PLAY THIS SATURDAY (21 November) IN ANY UNDER 14 or UNDER 16 GAME, club officials are asked to speak directly to their junior coaches and ensure that none of their players are being put at unnecessary risk. While the JEC does not wish to particularly impose unnecessary restrictions on coaches and field placings, should such dangerous practices continue, it will have to look at bringing in a rule that may severely restrict the number of close in fielders allowed or require close in fielders to wear a designated level of protection (but not at the expense of slowing down the game). As an example, it is worth noting that the VMCU which runs the January representative carnivals does not allow any fielders forward of the wicket within 9 metres in any of its Under 12 or Under 14 matches.
At this stage the JEC believes that by drawing everyone's attention to this issue and with self-regulation from the coaches (and umpires where provided) this should be sufficient to ensure that dangerous play is not occurring and that the safety, well-being and enjoyment of all players is foremost in everyone's minds during the course of play.
Thank you MARLWOOD RYDER DVCA JEC Secretary/Administrator
