Dunstall CC Annual Report 2010

Junior Cricket Report 2010 Our junior section expanded still further in 2010 as we again broke new ground for the Club and in some cases for the District. Over the past few years the Club has recognised the fundamental principle for a successful cricket club is to have an established infrastructure and a solid base in youth is integral. We now have fifteen ECB Coaches or Coaches Assistants and we have a policy of investing in our coaching future by financing players through their coaching courses during the winter months. We are encouraging players to consider coaching when they graduate from the junior ranks. I would like to thank every coach at the Club for giving up so many hours of their time to come and provide a coaching environment that is admired and recognised throughout the County. The benefits of this ever improving system can be seen in the results on the field. I have deliberately not mentioned specific names in this Report because there were so many contributors. The names of all of those selected for District and County representation are listed elsewhere along with the Award winners. Congratulations to them all. This year we became the first East Staffordshire club to enter two teams in the Burton Leagues at both Under 11 and Under 13 level. The kwikcricketers also had two teams battling it out every week in their league. This meant that we could provide regular cricket for most of our youngsters and also to develop some of the promising younger players by allowing them to play in a senior age group. The Under 17s stormed their way to the Division 2 title. They were by far the best team in the Division and the majority of the players are around again this season and they will be one of the favourites to take the Division 1 title. The 15s struggled a little. They had a wonderful year in 2009 but as so often happens when the mainstay of the squad graduates to the next age group gaps can appear. But in the end they maintained their status in Division 1 to ensure that Dunstall has a team in the top Division of each League. The 13s had a remarkable year. The majority of the A side were Under 12s and to run so close to winning their league was a remarkable effort. It is no surprise that almost all of that side will be representing East Staffordshire this summer. Dunstall B allowed many younger players to play 11 a side cricket for the first time. The emphasis of this side (as with the Under 11 B) is to develop younger players without the pressure of striving to win titles and to give the younger players in the age group the opportunity to play regular cricket. There was a hint of controversy in the Under 11 A season. They won the Cup and finished runners up in the League but there were many who felt that some eccentric umpiring by our nearest rival team in key games deprived us of the double. Having been present on at least two of the games that gave rise to concern I would like to commend the players for the way in which they took the decisions and defeat. It spoke volumes for the attitudes that the coaches try and instil in our players. Again the B side allowed some very young