FAQs
Q. What is the SMD Junior Cricket Philosophy? The SMD Junior Cricket philosophy and emphasis is to build on the skills, enjoyment and camaraderie that develop through our children’s cricket years at South Melbourne. We work toward an enjoyable and rewarding season for all – every season.
Q. Do I have to pay online? A. Yes, we do request all payments are made via the online registration system. This really makes the administration easier, and with all club administration done on a voluntary basis we appreciate your help to make processes as automated as possible.
Q. Does my child have to wear club clothing? A. Yes, a club cap (or wide-brim hat) and a club white polo shirt with logos are required to be worn. These can be purchased when you register via our online registration system. Their white or cream long pants can be purchased from a cricket or sports store.
Q. What time does U12 cricket start and finish on a Saturday morning? A. “One-Day” matches start at 8.15am, and run for 50 overs (25 each side). “Two-Day” matches start at 8.45am, and run for 40 overs each Saturday morning. One team bats one week and the other the next week. Your team manager will normally request you arrive 30 minutes before the start time. You will be finished by 12noon.
Q. Does my child need to be under the care of an adult during a match? A. Yes, most definitely. If the child’s parent / guardian cannot attend the match, please arrange with another parent to watch your child. The team manager / coach does not provide / assume this role.
Q. What time does U14 or U16 cricket start and finish on a Friday evening? A. “One-Day” & “Two-Day” matches start at 4.15pm, and run for 50, or 40 overs respectively. Your team manager will normally request you arrive 30 minutes before the start time, but it can be a bit of a rush on Friday’s after school we know. You will be finished by 7.30 / 8pm.
Q. What is the difference in format between Milo-in-Cricket or U12’s Junior Cricket?
A. The focus of Milo-in-Cricket is on skills practise. Milo Sessions are shorter, the season is 8-10 weeks pre-Xmas and the location is always at Albert Park Lake.
Junior Cricket is played in a fixed team of 12-14 kids. It is a completion-based with a mix of “One-Day” or “Two-Day” games played over an Oct – Feb season. Games are played home and away, with teams travelling “bayside” when away. Children bowl and bat on a full size wicket with a leather ball. Saturday morning games take 3- 4 hours.
Q. What ages play Milo-in-Cricket compared with U12’s Junior Cricket? A. Milo-in-Cricket is focused on children aged 4/5years through to 8/9 years. To play Junior Cricket the child has to be 8 – 11 years on or before 31 August of the season in question.
Q. I have a daughter – can they play Junior Cricket? A. Yes, girls are able to play in any of our Junior Cricket sides. They can, if they choose to, also play u12, u14 or u16 respectively for a little longer than the boys – ie, can be 12years on or before 31 August of the season in question and still play u12’s. We have fielded a girls team in a female competition in the past, and this would be considered if numbers permitted.
Q. My child has a disability – can they play Junior Cricket? A child with a disability can of course play. Depending on the disability you might like to talk to the club about the best grade to play in – to assist kids take the field comfortably they may, if they choose to, play u12, u14 or u16 respectively for a little longer than the rules stipulate.
Q. My child is 8 or 9 years old – should they play Milo-in-Cricket or U12’s Junior Cricket? A. It really depends on the child – we ask the parents/guardians to consider their child’s skill level, confidence and concentration abilities. These are important. It can be very disheartening for a child to play and bowl many no balls (finding it hard to bowl down a wicket), and find it difficult to score a run.
Q. Do they give out parking fines in Albert Park Lake car parks? A. Yes, they are regularly seen out and about fining cars parked without a ticket or permit
Q. I need the Albert Park Lake Parking Permit Form. A. With evidence of membership at SMDSC, member families are eligible for a discounted parking permit for parking within park boundaries. See the SMDSC.com.au homepage for a link to the form. If you take the form personally to the Parks Victoria office on Albert Road check the opening times – the office does shut earlier than you might expect.
Q. What is the parent / guardian help needed for? A. We really look to parents / guardians to help out. It’s a very enjoyable season if there are many parents willing to help, and there are jobs to be done on the day – like setting up the ground for home games, umpiring & scoring (we’ll help you learn these), match day coaching, morning / afternoon teas, organising the kids to get ready for batting etc. Without parent help we cannot field the team.
Q. Do all the U12’s play in the same grade – will my 9 year old have to play against experienced 11 year olds? A. We play in the CMCA (City of Morrabin Cricket Association) and in the CMCA the U12 age group is made up of A, B, C, D, and Modified Grades. At SMD, because we usually field 6 – 7 U12 teams, we will be spread over these grades. If you’re child is 8 or 9, and in their first year of playing we will usually play the child in the “Modified” grade and it’s more likely they will play against like ages. Some clubs have few U12 teams and are likely to have a wider age range in each team than SMD.
Q. How are players allocated to teams? A. Players are allocated to teams based on a number of criteria – a child’s skill (based on feedback from the coaches over pre-season), numbers (each season ages and numbers vary so we need to be flexible), parents who will act as team managers & match-day coach (we need to ensure all teams have adequate parents to manage) and other factors. We do get various requests from parents and whilst we do attempt to do our best in this regard it is sadly impossible to make everyone happy. We do hope you understand and that which-ever team your child is in they will likely know some kids and meet some new friends. As always our focus is on skill development, team-work and fun.
Q. How long is the Junior Cricket Season? A. The season runs from the first weekend after Term 3 School Holidays, through to the end February.
Q. Is there a break over Summer Holidays? A. Yes, generally last weekend of play is the weekend before Christmas Day, with play resuming mid January. There is generally no play for 3 weekends over the summer holidays.
Q. Who takes training during the week? A. For the most part parents coach teams and we make available for parents coaching courses and/or hold coaching sessions. We also add into the mix some paid coaches who are senior cricketers (present or past players) as needed. No team is a babysitting service. Your child is still your responsibility on route to/from training and during training. Parental assistance for the coach and manager on game nights is expected. Basically we can’t field a team without parents willing to help. **