Latrobe Cricket Club invests heavily in its Junior Development program.  It is a vital component of Latrobe having prolonged success (and participation) in the NWTCA.  Our juniors are our future!

Our Junior Development system is made up of the following components:

1. Entry Level (Skill Development) - This level is overseen by IN2 Cricket Co-ordinators Matt Clarke and Tony Aherne, with organisation of the various rosters done by Bob Dickson.  Players are encouraged to have a lot of fun while learning new skills in a safe environment.

- Milo "In-2-Cricket" Program for boys and girls aged 5-12.

- Latrobe and Districts Primary School Roster (Grades 3/4 & 5/6)

For more information click on the link below:

IN2 Cricket - Primary Cricket.doc

2. Skill Consolidation and Game Awareness - This level is overseen by CNW Junior Committee Member Grant Goss, with coaching duties performed by TBC.  Players at this level are encouraged to perform their role within a team, expand their range of skills and fine-tune their techniques. The Junior Colts train with the senior training group each Thursday from 5.30pm and are supported by senior LCC players.

- High School Competition (Grade 7-10)

- Under 14 team

- Junior Colts/Under 16 team

For more information click on the link below:

Junior Colts & High School.doc

3. Progression to Senior Cricket - This level is overseen by LCC Senior Coach, CNW Coach and Board Member Shane Wootton.  He is supported by grade captains and senior club members.  Players at this level spend a lot of time on the mental aspects of the game and are stimulated through game-sense activities and challenges. 

- North-West and State Representative teams

- Sunday League/3rds

- A-Reserve

- A-Grade

Junior Development focuses on:

- Development of basic skills

- Enjoyment

- Participation

- Application of skills to games

- Progression to higher grades

- Acceptance of club culture

Coaching

Our Junior Development program is overseen by TBC and Grant Goss.  Matt Clarke and Tony Aherne conduct In2Cricket sessions, held on Wednesday nights, while Grant Goss oversees our Junior Colts program.  Our Junior Colts, High School and Under-14 players train with the assistance of our senior group each Thursday from 5.30-7.30 pm, providing them with quality one-on-one coaching using all of the clubs indoor, outdoor and turf facilities.

Pathway

Talented young players have great opportunities here at Latrobe.  We aim to play Under/19 players in each of our top three teams so as to ensure these players stay at the club and can develop with some experienced players around them.  Recent examples are:

Dion Parsons (age 21) - A-Grade Player 303, A-Grade Premiership Player, LCC A-Grade Bowling Average, NWTCA Jamie Cox Plate Representative Team

Warwick Jones (age 21) - A-Grade Player 311

Ryan Keep (age 19) - A-Grade Player 306 & A-Grade and A-Reserve Premiership Player

Matt Clarke (age 18) - A-Grade Player 316 & A-Reserve Premiership Player

Callan Morse (age 18) - A-Grade Player 312, A-Grade & A-Reserve Premiership Player, LCC A-Grade Batting Average, TAS Imparja Cup & Under-Age Rep

Trent Keep (age 15) - A-Grade Player 323 , TAS Under-15 Rep, A-Reserve Premiership Player 2007-08

Marc Simonds (age 15) - A-Grade Player 324, TAS Under-15 Rep, A-Reserve Premiership Player 2007-08

Jamie Aherne (age 16) - A-Grade Player 320 , NW Under-16 Rep, A-Reserve Premiership Player 2007-08

The Proof is in the Pudding!

In recent times we have had numerous players come through our Junior Development program from Junior Colts right through to A-Grade.  A lot of thanks must go to Bob Dickson and Ray Read, who in the 1990's and early 2000's put a lot of work into the Junior Development program.  This is being carried on today by Grant Goss, TBC, Shane Wootton, David Squibb and the senior playing group. See the list below for recent Junior Development graduates and some of their achievements at Latrobe:

Rhys Bonney: A-Grade Player 288, 2003-04 A-Grade Batting Award, Tasmanian Underage Representative, now playing in VCA with Carlton Cricket Club.

Brendan Boyles: A-Grade Player 223, 2nd in  A-Grade Leading All Time Wickets, LCC Bowling Awards, Senior Colts Premiership Captain, A-Reserve Premiership Player.

Nathan Dennis: A-Grade Player 270, Club Coach 2003-2005, A-Reserve Premiership Captain, A-Reserve Bowling Awards, Senior Colts Premiership Player.

Paul Dickson: A-Grade Player 280, NWTCA Representative, A-Grade Premiership Captain, Longest-serving A-Grade Captain, Club Coach 2007-2008.

Wes Richardson: A-Grade Player 281, NWTCA All-Star Representative, NWTCA Best First Year Player Award.

James Wescombe: A-Grade Player 291, State Underage Representative, Jamie Cox Plate State Team, NWTCA Representative, A-Grade Premiership Player, LCC Bowling Awards, A-Grade Captain 2007-2008.

Brad Green: A-Grade Player 293, A-Grade Premiership Player, LCC Bowling Award.

Clint Donohue: A-Grade Player 295, A-Reserve Premiership Player, A-Reserve Bowling Awards, Senior Colts Premiership Player, Senior Colts Bowling Award, Junior Colts Bowling Award.

Matt Clarke: A-Grade Player 316, CNW A-Grade Wicket-Keeping Award, A-Reserve Premiership Player, Junior Colts Captain, Junior Colts Batting Award.

Ben Dick: A-Grade Player 317, Senior Colts Batting Award, Junior Colts Batting Award.

Volunteers

As with any community organisation, we are always in need of volunteers, particularly in the area of Junior Development.  We are in particular need of support for our Under-14 team. If you are a mother, father, grandparent, uncle or interested community member, we could use your assistance.  There are plenty of opportunities to become closer to the club, from coaching to umpiring, or even helping in the kiosk.  Please contact the club if you would like to be involved.  It is a great way to share time with your son/daughter!