Cricket: A revolution strikes the junior game

New Zealand Cricket’s new “age and stage” junior programme has been rolled out around the country today, after a live demonstration on Wellington’s parliament lawn.

The format’s designed to make the game more accessible for kids by tailoring it to their size.

That means employing shorter pitch lengths, fewer player numbers, shortened boundaries, and appropriately-sized bats, balls, and protective equipment.

The expectation is that it will create faster games, more running, more time with the ball in play, more boundaries, fewer wides, and an overall game experience more akin to what children see from top players.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said the initiative will be introduced throughout the country this summer following trials last year, and after a similarly-themed roll-out in Australia showed improved skill levels from participants.

“This programme helps make cricket more accessible for children and time-poor parents and caregivers,” White said.

“It’s faster, more dynamic and exciting and, as a result, more fun, which is the bottom line for any kid wanting to play cricket.”

He said NZC’s vision was to maintain cricket as a game for all New Zealanders, and that the “age and stage” programme would provide a consistent, coordinated and nationally-aligned approach to kids’ cricket.

NZC’s general manager of community, Adrian Dale, said there was an urgent need to change the game to keep pace with a changing New Zealand.

He said the new format and design would make the game more attractive for junior participants.

“The days of a one-size-fits-all approach to cricket are long gone,” Dale said.

“This programme ensures children are fully involved and provides more flexibility about where they play cricket, when they play cricket and, most importantly, how they play cricket.”