Belfast, 7th December 2024—The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, at the Pavilion, Stormont.
80 representatives from member clubs across the region attended the event, marking a significant turnout that underscored the continued enthusiasm for cricket in the Union. The AGM provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year while setting the stage for the upcoming season. Key topics discussed included:
- Review of the 2024 Season: A detailed summary of club competitions and individual achievements highlighted the continued growth and development of the sport across all levels.
- Development Initiatives: Updates were shared on youth programmes, grassroots development, and community outreach, emphasising the NCU’s commitment to nurturing talent and expanding cricket’s reach.
- Strategic Goals for 2025: Plans for infrastructure improvements, league expansion, and partnerships were outlined, focusing on enhancing facilities and creating more opportunities for participation.
- Election of Office Bearers: The meeting saw the election and reappointment of key office bearers who will steer the NCU’s activities in the year ahead.
The following notices of motion were discussed and passed:
Motions to amend General and Competition Rules
Serial 1 – Proposed by Board
General Rule 2(a) – Amend the relevant Annual Fees to read:
Club affiliation £125
Adult competition entry fee £25 per team per competition
Youth competition entry fee £25 per team per competition
[This would increase the annual fees payable by clubs participating in competitions by 25%.]
Serial 2 – Proposed by Board
General Rule 2(c) – After ‘aged 18 or over’ insert ‘and £5 in respect of each player aged between 13 and 17’
[This would introduce an annual registration fee of £5 for a player aged between 13 and 17 (and therefore deemed old enough to play in open adult competitions).]
Serial 3 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule A7 – Add at the end ‘Where any such player has not played any competitive cricket over the past three years, written confirmation of this fact shall suffice and no Supplementary Information form should be submitted.’
[This would clarify that no Supplementary Information Form is required where the player has played no competitive cricket over the preceding three years.]
Serial 4 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule A8 – Replace second sentence with ‘Up to two replacement players may be registered during the course of the season. Where any such player has not played any competitive cricket over the past three years, written confirmation of this fact shall suffice and no Supplementary Information form should be submitted.’
[This would reiterate the clarification in the preceding Serial and replace the current replacement criteria with an unrestricted right to register up to two replacement non-Irish qualified players.]
Serial 5– Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule A17 – Replace ‘as a school pupil’ with ‘aged under 18’.
[This changes the definition in line with the current age-based registration system.]
Serial 6 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule A33 – Add after the first sentence ‘Only one non-resident player who has played outside the auspices of Cricket Ireland at the level that would be required for the relevant visa shall be eligible.’
[This would extend the one-player restriction on overseas professionals in the Premier League to Irish passport holders who have played at an equivalent level in another country.]
Serial 7 – Proposed by Board
Competition Rule A41 – Delete Rule.
[This would remove the requirement for clubs to indicate before the start of the season whether or not their teams are prepared to play fixtures on Sundays. This provision has been minimally used by clubs in recent years and it is now considered inconsistent with the Union’s diversity commitments to give formal recognition to a single religion’s holy day in this manner.]
Serial 8 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule B14 – after ‘cup fixtures’ insert ‘(including age-group cups)’; replace ‘seven days’ with ‘three days’; and after ‘completion of the match’ insert ‘or at least 24 hours before the scheduled date for the next round (if earlier)’
[This would shorten the time limit for the submission of protests relating to Cup matches and clarify that the deadline applies to youth and adult cups and that protests relating to cup matches must be submitted before the next round is due to be played.]
Serial 9 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule D2 – amend to read ‘Play may start at any time agreed by both teams, but not later than 12 noon (in May or June a club with two or more selected players involved in schools’ cricket on the same day as a player, coach or teacher may elect to defer the start to 1 pm).’
[This would align the latest starting time for the Junior Cup with that for the Senior League.]
Serial 10 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rule G7 – add a new rule as follows and re-number subsequent rules as necessary:
G7 Where a Match 1 fixture is due to be played after 31 August, the clubs involved may apply to the League Secretary for permission to play it as a Match 2. Permission shall be granted only where the League Secretary is satisfied that the result could not affect the winning of the Section or promotion or relegation from it.
[This would enable clubs to shorten a Match 1 fixture due to be played in September to a Match 2 where the result of the match could not affect the outcome of the competition.]
Serial 12 – Proposed by Domestic Cricket Directorate
Competition Rules section H – reverse the sequence of H7 and H8 and insert new Rules as follows, renumbering subsequent rules as necessary:
H9 Where play is terminated by ground or weather conditions after the team batting second has batted for at least the minimum number of overs specified in H7, the result shall be determined on the basis of each team’s run rate over its entire innings.
H18 Where play is terminated by ground or weather conditions after the team batting second has batted for at least 5 overs, the result shall be determined on the basis of each team’s run rate over its entire innings.
[This would enable weather-curtailed matches in the most junior leagues where the team batting second has batted for at least the specified minimum number of overs to be decided on the basis of run rate, as is already the case in the corresponding cup competitions.]
The following notices of motion were discussed and defeated:
Serial 11 – Proposed by Derriaghy CC
Competition Rule G16 – amend sub-sections to read:
(a) Premier League – 50 overs;
(b) Senior League Section 1 – 50 overs (which teams may agree in advance to reduce to 40 overs);
(c) Senior League Sections 2 and 3 and Junior League Section 1 – 40 overs.
[This would enable teams in Senior League Section 1 to agree in advance to reduce the scheduled maximum duration of a Match 1 innings from 50 to 40 overs.]
A special highlight of the evening was the farewell address by outgoing NCU President Brian Walsh, who delivered his final speech as president. His remarks were well received, reflecting on his tenure and the progress made under his leadership. The Union extended its heartfelt gratitude to Brian for his dedication and contributions during his time in office and he was presented with Honorary Life Membership status at the NCU.
NCU Chair Michael Humphreys presents outgoing NCU President Brian Walsh with Honorary Life Membership at the NCU
The AGM also welcomed Bryan Milford’s election as the next NCU President. Bryan’s appointment was met with strong support, and he expressed enthusiasm about the role and the upcoming year.
The newly appointed NCU President Bryan Milford
The NCU looks forward to an exciting 2025 season, where there will be plenty of opportunities to build on recent successes and further enhance cricket across the region.