Lost Grounds in the West

Transcription

1 Lost Grounds in the West An Update One Year On Tuesday 25 th October 2011

2 A Alan Glenn s Anchor Ardeer Ardrossan High Argyll Street Ayr at Cambusdoon Ayr Old Racecourse F Fenwick I Inchinnan B Beith Bellahouston Park Belmont House Bishopbriggs Bishopton G Garrowhill Garscadden Greenock Academy J Jerviswood Jordanhill (at the College) K Keil Academy - both squares Kelvinside at Balgray Kilbirnie Kilmacolm Kilmarnock at Kirkstyle Kilmarnock Academy P Paisley Grammar School Phoenix (Ferguslie Park) Pollok Park(Burrell) Pollok Park (Nethercraigs) T Thornliebank at 6 grounds V Victoria Park C Cambuslang Rugby Club Carrick (Girvan) Cartha Clydebank Crookston Cumbernauld D Drumley Dumbartonshire Dumbarton Dunlop Dumfries Academy Dumfries & District E Eaglesham Eastwood Eglinton Erskine H HMS Gannet at Monkton, Dundonald Camp, Dundonald Castle Hillend Hoover Cambuslang Hutchesons Grammar School at Crossmyloof Hyndland at Scotstoun L Lanark (Racecourse) Largs Lennox Lenzie Lenzie Rugby Club Lenzie High School Lochinch (Glasgow Police Ground) M Marr College Mearns Castle High School Mearnskirk Motherwell at Home Park R Renfrew at Moorcroft, Robertson Park, Richmond Park Rolls Royce (Hillington Haugh/Bairds Meadow) Rouken Glen Park Royal Torpedo (Argyll Park) N Netherpollok NKOA at Millerston North Kelvinside at Huntershill O Old Grammarians S Shawlands Academy Southern General Hospital Springburn Park St Aloysuis College Stepps Strachur Strathclyde at Stepps Strathclyde Park W West Kilbride Whitecraigs Rugby Club Whiteinch Williamwood High School Woodfarm Woodhall

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4 TOMORROW International -- Ireland v Scotland (Dublin). Scottish County Knockout Cup -- West Lothian v Strathmore County. Under-19 District Championship -- South v East (Langholm), West v North (Greenock). Other matches West -- Uddingston v Perthshire, Clydesdale v Glasgow High Kelvinside, Ayr v North Kelvinside/Old Aloysians, Drumpellier v Stenhousemuir, Ferguslie v Alva, Kelburne v Kirkcaldy, Poloc v Glasgow High Kelvinside, Hillhead v Helensburgh, East Kilbride v St Michaels, Hillend v Old Grammarians, Bute v Glasgow University Staff, Victoria v Hillhead XI. East -- Edinburgh Academicals v Greenock, Stenhousemuir v Drumpellier, Grange v West of Scotland, Corstorphine v Royal High, West Lothian v Dunnikier, Stewart's Melville FP v Selkirk, Glenrothes v Arbroath United, Haddington v Edinburgh University Staff, Mitre v Walmer, Marchmont v Drummond, London Road v President's XI, Watsonians v Watsons College. North -- Freuchie v Forfarshire, Fifeshire v Crieff, Stirling County v St Modans HSFP, Cupar v Dundee HSFP, Falkland v Rossie Priory, Glenrothes v Arbroath United, Keith v Buckie, Kingsway v Aberfeldy, Gargunnock v East Kilbride XI, Largo v Dunlop. South -- Hawick and Wilton v Kilmarnock, St Boswells v Holy Cross Academicals, Dumfries v Peebles County, Manderston v Gnomes. NCA Cup: Final (Scottish section) -- West of Scotland v Clydesdale.

5 Hillhead Cricket Club major expansion complete to existing clubhouse, a café, new dressing rooms, showers, a complete overhaul of drainage and a new artificial wicket. Glasgow University Cricket Club at Garscube. new access roads and car park completed, plans in place for a new changing facility at the playing area, subject to funding from Glasgow University.

6 Vale of Leven Cricket Club square vandalised in autumn The WDCU paid for the repair of the square and for it to be operational in 2011 Bute County Cricket Club moved from a small damp area at the top of the Meadows in Rothesay to a new expanded square, more easily accessible and with room for further development and practice facilities. Irvine Cricket Club about to embark on a major new multi sport in the round clubhouse. Kilmarnock Cricket Club brand new ground for St. Michaels Cricket Club completely new square, drainage upgraded, practice facilities enhanced.

7 The new ground at Kilmarnock (Scott Ellis Playing Fields - just across the river from existing site) is well advanced, and despite the very wet autumn, Alan Simpson is confident that it will be fit for play at start of It is a 10 wicket square and the ground is of a decent size. Straight boundaries in particular are long, square of the wicket is a little shorter. The seeding of the square took well, and it has had a light roll, and a cut too. The outfield seeding has been a little more patchy, and will need a further overseed in two or three places, but no more than might be expected from a new ground. Alan Simpson, the Cricket Scotland grounds inspector, continues to monitor this and work with the contractors on this and a couple of minor snagging issues. The fence surrounding the ground is complete, minimum 8 feet high and looks quite robust. This will ensure that it is a cricket only facility. Clubrooms/dressing rooms are utilitarian but will suffice.

8 Bellahouston Park Project Tom Halpin and myself, on behalf of the WDCU, met with representatives of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Cricket Scotland and Victoria Cricket Club on Wednesday 12th October The purpose of the meeting was to have a ground inspection of the new cricket facility being built in Bellahouston Park and its further operation thereof. It was a fruitful meeting and Victoria, and other clubs and teams can look forward to municipally provided grass pitches in 2012.

9 This new cricket pitch is hopefully expected to be operational from early July A bespoke grass/astroturf facility for use by schools, community projects and all the various clubs in the Glasgow area. At this meeting, discussions were also held in respect of the future operations and availabilities of the municipal pitches at Glasgow Green, Springburn Park and Nether Pollok. The WDCU Executive and League Management Committees, in conjunction with Glasgow Life, will discuss various issues arising and expect to make a joint statement in the next couple of months.

10 Barrachnie Park The restoration of Barrachnie Park, the former home of Garrowhill Cricket Club, is also ongoing, and it is hopefully expected that this "lost" ground will be available during the 2012 season.

11 The Barrachnie Park project is an important project that will see the return of cricket to an area of Glasgow after an absence of 20 years. Both the Bellahoustoun and Barrachnie restoration projects are indicative of the desire to further cricket in the west, and I am extremely grateful of all the help, assistance and contributions that have been made by many people in getting both these two current restorations underway. If you care about something deeply and you want to preserve it for future generations to enjoy, sometimes a brutal assessment with a jaundiced overview is the ideal weapon to provoke cricketers to think not just about their own game, team or club, but every single player, team and club currently operating in the WDCU remit and their futures.

12 WDCU Reconstruction 2010 An Update One Year On

13 The Western District Cricket Union The Western District Cricket Union introduced a radical overhaul of all its leagues and competitions commencing in the 2011 season. These changes were designed to assist the member clubs, whether they play aspirational or recreational cricket, in developing their players and members by providing competitive competition that is deliberately tailored to meet the needs of any respective club. In 2011, there existed the perfect opportunity for the WDCU to modernise set-up and structure in order to facilitate the strengthening and progression of WDCU clubs in their pursuit of Whole Club Development and the ultimate aim of promoting to and surviving at the highest level possible, the SNCL. The new structure provided a genuine feeder system, a compact route for all clubs to find their correct playing level and to be resilient and flexible enough to accommodate any prospective SNCL reorganisation in the future. Within the major restructuring of the Saturday League there was a requirement for a realignment of the WDCU Cup competitions to provide multiple competitions for all clubs at all levels and to ensure the integration of WDCU and its member SNCL clubs under the WDCU umbrella ensuring the strength of the union for years to come.

14 The Western District Cricket Union What does your club need? A Business Plan A Development Plan Funding and Investment Infrastructure Organisation Commitment Members Resources Finance Facilities Direction Equipment Maintenance and Machinery Expenditure Diversity Coaching Training Risk Assessment, Child Protection and Health and Safety

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16 The WDCU, in respect of the 2010 mission statement In 2011, there exists the perfect opportunity for the WDCU to modernise setup and structure in order to facilitate the strengthening and progression of WDCU clubs in their pursuit of Whole Club Development and the ultimate aim of promoting to and surviving at the highest level possible, the SNCL. The new structure provides a genuine feeder system, a compact route for all clubs to find their correct playing level and is resilient and flexible enough to accommodate any prospective SNCL reorganisation in the future. embarked upon delivering its promise to its member clubs. Many areas were looked at, and given the success of Lost Grounds being intertwined with WDCU Reconstruction 2010, players, teams and clubs have looked inwardly at what is around them and many have taken the opportunity to develop, not only their own interests, but those of others. WDCU Reconstruction 2010 has been praised as a template of best working practice for other leagues to copy. The WDCU Criteria and Facilities stipulations have been benchmarked as the standard for the other leagues in Scotland, as well as the national league to implement and better by The WDCU Criteria, Facilities, Funding and Assistance information disk/downloads are being used by many as helpful tools. The WDCU Player Registration system is being implemented nationally. Other leagues are copying/cloning our ideas and policies and research what the WDCU provides. The national governing body, Cricket Scotland, fully endorses what the WDCU does in its provision of cricket to its member clubs.

17 Aberdeenshire Arbroath Ayr Carlton Clydesdale Drumpellier Dumfries Dunfermline East Kilbride Edinburgh Accies Falkland Ferguslie Forfarshire Freuchie Grange Greenock Heriots Kelburne Penicuik Poloc Renfrew RH Corstorphine SMRH Stenhousemuir Stirling County Stoneywood-Dyce Uddingston Watsonians Weirs West Lothian West of Scotland Players Players The WDCU has over 2000 registered players. Nearly 1000 of them are of the Muslim faith. As a governing body, the WDCU has to respect the religious and cultural beliefs and practices of those that participate in its leagues and competitions. With the religious festival of Ramadan moving forward by 10 days each year, and into the mid-summer months, consideration has to be given to those that play and will be affected by such an important religious festival. Following discussion it was agreed that Glasgow Life write to the WDCU advising of the operational hours at each of Glasgow Life s venues: Nether Pollok, Glasgow Green, Springburn and of course Bellahouston. It was agreed to advise all WDCU clubs that Saturday start times at Glasgow Life venues for the 2012 season onwards shall be brought forward to: Demographic East West North Nether Pollok noon Springburn noon Glasgow Green am Ramadan Analysis Chart SNCL Players 2011

18 The Centurions A Welcome Return From WDCU History

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20 The Centurions Selection Committee comprised the following: Stuart Kennedy Dougie Johnstone Drew Pryde Richard S Young Mike Sweeney The original concept of the Centurions was never about having the best WDCU players turning out for the team, it was always about having the best team to represent the interests of the WDCU and cricket in the west of Scotland, and giving youth an opportunity. After an absence of 30 years, it was important that the founding tenets of the Centurions were maintained. On reflection, I believe we did adhere to the original principles. The Centurions were: David Stafford - Captain (Ferguslie) Danial Chaudhry (Poloc) Bilal Chaudhry (Poloc) Scott McElnea (Ayr) Neil Smith (Ayr) Stewart Darroch (Ferguslie) Calum Rodger (Prestwick) Willie Rowan (Greenock) Steven McLister (Kelburne) Ryan Morrow (Kelburne) Craig Young (Poloc) Michael English (Ferguslie)

21 The Centurions, with an average age of 18, were magnificent ambassadors in the way they represented the WDCU on and off the field in their behaviour, manners, spirit and performance with only a catastrophic five over period at the end of the Bradford innings proving decisive. 77 runs in that five over spell enabled Bradford Under 21s to post 271 for 7 having been under pressure at 95 for 5. In reply, scoreboard pressure eventually told and wickets fell in the chase for runs as the young Centurions were dismissed for 173. Before the match, both teams and officials held a minute s silence in memory of Robbie Dickie of Ayr Cricket Club, who had been tragically killed in a road traffic accident a few days before the game. It was a poignant gesture to remember one of our own and was a sobering influence on this fixture. It demonstrated what the game of cricket is all about. Thinking of others and not one s self, camaraderie and the making of friendships outside of the game.

22 The JCT600 Bradford League Under-21 side won the inaugural Colonel Bill Young Trophy challenge match against the visiting Western District Cricket Union team from Scotland at East Bierley today by 98 runs. The 40-overs a side match was an interesting contest with the greater depth and experience of the Bradford League side proving to be the deciding factor. The young Scottish team certainly posed problems for their rivals, particularly early on when opening bowlers Scott Mcelnea and Bilal Chaudhry extracted movement from the pitch with the new ball. Indeed Bradford looked in trouble as they were reduced to 33-3 when skipper Joe Greaves, who reached 1,000 runs for the season for Farsley yesterday, holed out for a duck. Undercliffe's Zarak Khan then led a recovery with some elegant drives in an innings of 39.He shared a fourth-wicket stand of 56 with Edward Walmsley of Pudsey Congs before both fell in quick succession to Ryan Morrow who took Bowling Old Lane's Mubtada Akhtar hit a brisk 33 as Bradford tried to up the tempo but his innings came to an unlucky conclusion when Gomersal's Jack Seddon hit a straight drive which was deflected onto the stumps by the bowler with non-striker Akhtar out of his ground. At it looked as if Bradford would do well to reach 200, but the eighth-wicket pair of Gomersal's Seddon and Richie Lamb (Pudsey Congs) had other ideas.they went for their shots and took the game away from the visitors with an impressive, unbroken partnership of 112. Seddon was the first to reach his 50 off 38 balls with nine fours, but Lamb got their in less balls as he reached his half century from just 27 with three sixes and six fours. Lamb finished unbeaten on 61 while Seddon was 57 not out as the JCT600 Bradford League finished with an impressive score of a total that didn't seem possible until Seddon and Lamb seized the initiative. The Western District Cricket Union lost and early wicket in reply but then hit back as their second-wicket pair of Michael English and Danial Chaudhry played impressively. They mixed sound defence with some fine attacking strokes whenever the quick bowlers strayed in length or line. The two 16-year-olds looked to be putting their side into a challenging position until both fell in quick succession. Chaudhry unwisely chose to try and loft off spinner Walmsley out of the ground and was caught at long on by Gareth Phillips for 38. When English perished soon after to a catch by wicketkeeper Seddon off Lamb, the Western District Cricket Union lost momentum. The combination of Walmsley's tight off spin at one end and the skidding medium pace of Woodlands' Scott Richardson at the other proved to be a vital ingredient in Bradford's ultimate success. Richardson finished with 4-31 and Walmsley 3-28 as the visitors subsided to173 all out.

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26 Keith Moss MBE, who presented the trophy, is President of the Bradford League and is a former Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. He has been on the ECB Committee at Lord's. The feedback from the Bradford League has been immense. Glad to see you all had a good time. The cup went to our board meeting on Tuesday and everybody was impressed. All of our officials who attended spoke highly of your team, their conduct, their politeness and the refreshing attitude they showed to their cricket. One of our most successful cricketers of recent times, Murphy Walwyn, told me he has not seen a team of youngsters show such a dedicated and disciplined approach to practice as your squad showed on Saturday. Murphy isn't one to give out accolades easily so his unsolicited remarks were great to hear. Promising praise to receive from one of the top leagues in England.

27 The Bradford League were also tremendous hosts and the WDCU will reciprocate in a year's time when they host the return match at Dumfries in anticipation of a long and mutually beneficial series. Of particular note is that every single member of the Bradford XI was a paid player, they all earn recompense for their cricketing ability and in no way did the west lads look inferior to the home side despite the clear age gap. The return of The Centurions, after an absence of 30 years, and given the initial success of the 2011 season re-introduction, has led to discussions taking place for further fixtures against the Under 21 selects of the Durham, Northumberland, Essex and Hertfordshire leagues in 2012.

28 Jim Love Yorkshire CCC and England Bill Athey Yorkshire CCC and England Alan Ramage Yorkshire CCC Neil Hartley Yorkshire CCC Peter Ingham Yorkshire CCC Neil Hartley's son, Jack, was playing in the game. Neil arrived to watch, found out that it was the Centurions, saw that we had brought the original score-books for people to peruse, and left. He came back about half an hour later with his Yorkshire scrap-book. He handed over the above photograph. The Centurions versus the Yorkshire Cricket Federation at Hamilton Crescent in a two day game on 16 th and 17 th July In the match against the Bradford League in 2011, Jack Hartley got injured and was really surprised when Mike Sweeney arrived with a bag of ice and Neil Smith from Ayr went over with freeze-spray and both assisted him. Obviously, cricketing niceties that we take for granted are alien concepts in God's country, but I m sure he ll remember the spirit of cricket his father did after nearly 40 years.

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33 SNCL Reconstruction and the Future Structures Group A Western Perspective

34 Top annual subscription level to Cricket Scotland currently per annum (including VAT) Cricket balls balls provided by Cricket Scotland for all league matches (18) and recharged to clubs (current charge per ball, including VAT) A contribution towards the cost of administering the league, maintaining the website (currently , including VAT). Umpires levy (currently at a charge of 300, no VAT). This charge is an attempt to level out the costs of providing neutral umpires to clubs across the country. Clubs pay expenses to umpires on the day. However, the actual expenses paid to umpires are reclaimable by clubs at the end of each season. Mileage is currently paid at the rate of 25p per mile. Umpires fees are payable by clubs on the day. The current rate is 30 per umpire per match ( 45 if there is a single neutral umpire). These fees are not recoverable by clubs. Subscription Cricket Balls (based on 18 league games) Website Levy Umpires Levy (why if you pay them anyway?) Umpires Fees (based on 9 home games per season) That is a projected annual total of just to play in the SNCL. Then you have IOG certification 180, laptop and printer 400, travel expenses???, teas, scorers, mobile phone costs, hessian sheets which are apparently compulsory, and so on. WDCU Full Membership: One team , two teams SNCL Clubs Minimum Outlay before a ball is bowled: (not including ball/umpire/competition costs for cup matches and 2 nd XI fixtures, estimated at another ) The following pages promulgate some of the suggestions made by the west for consideration by the FSG:

35 The True Lie of the Land Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Division 5 Division 6 Division 7 Division 8 Division 9 Boroughmuir Carlton II Fauldhouse Glenrothes Grange II Holy Cross Largo Marchmont MF-DAFS Watsonian II Clackmannan County Edinburgh II Freuchie II Kismet Leith FAB Livingston Musselburgh RH Corstorphine II Stirling Co. II Westquarter & Redding Broomhall Drummond Trinity Edinburgh South Falkland II Grange III Haddington Heriots II MF-DAFS II Peebles County West Lothian II Carlton III Dunfermline II Dunfermline Carnegie Edin Univ. Staff Kirk Brae Musselburgh II Penicuik II SMRH II Stenhousemuir II Stirling Co. III Boroughmuir II Edinburgh Accies II Falkland III Holy Cross II Largo II Morton MF DAFS III Old Contemptibles Preston Village Watsonian III Broomhall II Clackmannan Co II Dunbar Dunfermline Wanderers Edinburgh III Edinburgh South II Heriots III Leith FAB II Livingston II West Lothian III Carlton IV Fauldhouse II Glenrothes II Kismet II Marchmont II Morton II Peebles County II Penicuik III RH Corstorphine III Teuchters Drummond Trinity II Dunfermline III Holy Cross III Kirk Brae II Largo III Leith FAB III MF DAFS IV SMRH III Broomhall III Dalgety Bay Edinburgh South III Largo IV Musselburgh III Preston Village II Stirling Co IV Tranent Premier Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Mannofield Strathearn Huntly DHSFP's Meigle Strathmore Stoneywood-Dyce Arbroath United Kinross Kinloch Rossie Priory Forthill Coupar Angus Norwood St. Modans Northern Breadalbane Arrowdawn Gordonians Mayfield Forthill XI Dalnacraig Glendelvine Arbroath United XI Montrose Strathmore XI Clackmannan County XI Rossie Priory XI Strathearn XI Almond Valley Freuchie XI Falkland XI Meigle XI St. Modans XI Breadalbane XI Kinross XI St Andrews University Staff Guthrie Park Arrowdawn Gordonians XI

36 Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Division 5 Division 6 Division 7 Division 8 Division 9 Boroughmuir Carlton II Fauldhouse Glenrothes Grange II Holy Cross Largo Marchmont MF-DAFS Watsonian II Clackmannan Co. Edinburgh II Freuchie II Kismet Leith FAB Livingston Musselburgh RH Corstorphine II Stirling Co. II Westquarter & Redding Broomhall Drummond Trinity Edinburgh South Falkland II Grange III Haddington Heriots II MF-DAFS II Peebles County West Lothian II Carlton III Dunfermline II Dun. Carnegie Edin Univ. Staff Kirk Brae Musselburgh II Penicuik II SMRH II Stenhousemuir II Stirling Co. III Boroughmuir II Edinburgh Accies II Falkland III Holy Cross II Largo II Morton MF DAFS III Old Contemptibles Preston Village Watsonian III Broomhall II Clackmannan Co II Dunbar Dun. Wand. Edinburgh III Edinburgh South II Heriots III Leith FAB II Livingston II West Lothian II Carlton IV Fauldhouse II Glenrothes II Kismet II Marchmont II Morton II Peebles Co. II Penicuik III RH Corstorphine III Teuchters Drummond Trinity II Dunfermline III Holy Cross III Kirk Brae II Largo III Leith FAB III MF DAFS IV SMRH III Broomhall III Dalgety Bay Edinburgh South III Largo IV Musselburgh III Preston Village II Stirling Co IV Tranent Boroughmuir Fauldhouse Glenrothes Holy Cross Largo Marchmont MF-DAFS Clackmannan Co. Edinburgh II Kismet Leith FAB Livingston Musselburgh Westq & Redding Broomhall Drummond Trinity Edinburgh So. Haddington Peebles Co. Dun. Carnegie Edin Univ. Staff Kirk Brae Morton Old Contemptibles Preston Village Dunbar Dun. Wand Teuchters Dalgety Bay Tranent SNCL 2 nd XI (9) SNCL 2 nd XI (5) ESCA 2 Nd XI (20) ESCA 3 rd /4 th XI (9) SNCL 3 rd /4 th XI (8) SNCL 3 rd /4 th XI (5) Carlton II Grange II Watsonian II RH Corstorphine II Heriots II Penicuik II SMRH II Stenhousemuir II Edinburgh Accies II Freuchie II Stirling Co. II Falkland II West Lothian II Dunfermline II MF-DAFS II Musselburgh II Boroughmuir II Holy Cross II Largo II Broomhall II Clackmannan Co II Edinburgh III Edinburgh South II Leith FAB II Livingston II Fauldhouse II Glenrothes II Kismet II Marchmont II Morton II Peebles County II Drummond Trinity II Kirk Brae II Preston Village II MF DAFS III Holy Cross III Largo III Leith FAB III MF DAFS IV Broomhall III Edinburgh South III Largo IV Musselburgh III Grange III Carlton III Watsonian III Heriots III Penicuik III RH Corstorphine III SMRH III Carlton IV Stirling Co. III Falkland III West Lothian III Dunfermline III Stirling Co IV

37 SP & U Premier Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Mannofield Strathearn Huntly DHSFP's Meigle Strathmore Stoneywood-Dyce Arbroath United Kinross Kinloch Rossie Priory Forthill Coupar Angus Norwood St. Modans Northern Breadalbane Arrowdawn Gordonians Mayfield Cupar Forthill XI Dalnacraig Glendelvine Arbroath United XI Montrose Strathmore XI Clackmannan County XI Rossie Priory XI Strathearn XI Almond Valley Freuchie XI Falkland XI Meigle XI St. Modans XI Breadalbane XI Kinross XI St Andrews University Staff Guthrie Park Arrowdawn Gordonians XI Brechin Kirriemuir Cupar XI SP & U Premier (7) Division 1 (8) Division 2 (2) Division 3 (2) Strathearn Huntly DHSFP's Meigle Strathmore Kinross Kinloch Rossie Priory Coupar Angus Norwood St. Modans Northern Breadalbane Arrowdawn Gordonians Mayfield Glendelvine Montrose Almond Valley St Andrews University Staff Guthrie Park SNCL 2 nd XI (4) SP & U 2 nd XI (9) SNCL 3 rd XI (2) ESCA 4 th XI (1) SNCL 4 th XI (2) Mannofield Stoneywood-Dyce Arbroath United Forthill Dalnacraig Strathmore XI Rossie Priory XI Strathearn XI Meigle XI St. Modans XI Breadalbane XI Kinross XI Arrowdawn Gordonians XI Forthill XI Arbroath United XI Clackmannan County XI Freuchie XI Falkland XI

38 WDCU SNCL Reserve Premiership Championship Tom Kerr Conference Roddy MacLeod Conference Ayr (Cambusdoon) Clydesdale (Titwood) Drumpellier (Langloan) Dumfries (Nunholm) East Kilbride (Torrance House) Ferguslie (Meikleriggs) Greenock (Glenpark) Kelburne (Whitehaugh) Poloc (Shawholm) Renfrew (Moorcroft) Uddingston (Bothwell) West of Scotland (Partick) Weirs (Albert Park) Hillhead Prestwick Glasgow Accies Galloway St Michaels GHK Kilmarnock Irvine Helensburgh GUSCC Motherwell Bute County Vale of Leven Anniesland GHK/Strathclyde Hughenden St Ninians Kingholm Kirkstyle Garscube Victoria Hamilton Cavaliers Alps Active Life Club Ardencaple Gatehouse of Fleet ScotIndians Whiteinch Hamilton Palace Bees Windyedge Marress Ardrossan Inverclyde SNCL 2 nd XI (13) Eligible Feeder Clubs (10) Non Eligible Clubs (9) WDCU 2 nd XIs (12) WDCU 3 rd /4 th XIs (2) SNCL 3 rd /4 th XIs (2) Ayr (Cambusdoon) Clydesdale (Titwood) Drumpellier (Langloan) Dumfries (Nunholm) East Kilbride (Torrance House) Ferguslie (Meikleriggs) Greenock (Glenpark) Kelburne (Whitehaugh) Poloc (Shawholm) Renfrew (Moorcroft) Uddingston (Bothwell) West of Scotland (Partick) Weirs (Albert Park) Hillhead Prestwick Glasgow Accies Galloway St Michaels GHK Kilmarnock Irvine Helensburgh GUSCC Motherwell Bute County Vale of Leven Victoria Hamilton Active Life Club ScotIndians Ardrossan Inverclyde Anniesland GHK/Strathclyde Hughenden St Ninians Kingholm Kirkstyle Garscube Ardencaple Gatehouse of Fleet Whiteinch Hamilton Palace Marress Windyedge Alps Bees Cavaliers

39 Principal SNCL Club (WDCU) (13) Ayr Clydesdale Drumpellier Dumfries East Kilbride Ferguslie Greenock Kelburne Poloc Renfrew Uddingston West of Scotland Weirs Eligible Feeder Club (WDCU) (10) Hillhead Prestwick Glasgow Accies Galloway St Michaels GHK Kilmarnock Irvine Helensburgh GUSCC Principal SNCL Club (East) (9) Carlton Grange Watsonian RH Corstorphine Heriots Penicuik SMRH Stenhousemuir Edinburgh Accies Eligible Feeder Club (East) (21) Boroughmuir Holy Cross Marchmont MF-DAFS Edinburgh II Leith FAB Musselburgh Westq & Redding Broomhall Drummond Trinity Edinburgh So. Haddington Peebles Co. Edin Univ. Staff Kirk Brae Morton Old Contemptibles Preston Village Dunbar Teuchters Tranent Principal SNCL Club (Caledonian) (9) Freuchie Stirling Co. Falkland West Lothian Dunfermline Aberdeenshire Stoneywood-Dyce Arbroath United Forfarshire Eligible Feeder Club (Caledonian) (29) Fauldhouse Glenrothes Largo Clackmannan Co. Livingston Dun. Carnegie Dun. Wand Dalgety Bay Kismet Strathearn Huntly DHSFP's Meigle Strathmore Kinross Kinloch Rossie Priory Coupar Angus Norwood St. Modans Northern Breadalbane Arrowdawn Gordonians Mayfield Glendelvine Montrose Almond Valley St Andrews University Staff Guthrie Park This table explains the eligibility issues of the member clubs in a geographic determination of West, East and Central/North (Caledonian) jurisdictions.

40 SNCL Premiership 2011 SNCL Championship 2011 Carlton RH Corstorphine Grange Penicuik Watsonian SMRH Heriots Stenhousemuir Stirling Co. Edinburgh Accies Dunfermline Freuchie Aberdeenshire Falkland Stoneywood-Dyce West Lothian Arbroath United Dumfries Forfarshire East Kilbride Ayr Ferguslie Clydesdale Kelburne Drumpellier Poloc Greenock Renfrew Uddingston Weirs West of Scotland Projected Top 4 WDCU clubs 2011 Projected Top 4 Caledonian clubs 2011 Projected Top 4 ESCA clubs 2011 Ayr Clydesdale Uddingston West of Scotland Dunfermline Aberdeenshire Arbroath United Forfarshire Carlton Grange Watsonian Heriots Composition of WCL 2012 Composition of CCL 2012 Composition of ECL 2012 Drumpellier Greenock Dumfries East Kilbride Ferguslie Kelburne Poloc Renfrew Weirs WDCU Premiership Winner Stirling Co. Stoneywood-Dyce Freuchie Falkland West Lothian Fauldhouse Glenrothes Largo Strathearn Strathmore Kinross RH Corstorphine Penicuik SMRH Stenhousemuir Edinburgh Accies Boroughmuir Holy Cross Marchmont MF-DAFS Edinburgh II Winners of WCL, CCL and ECL play off to determine who gets promoted to SNL replacing the bottom placed team. The relegated SNL team returns to its geographic feeder league. A truly aspirational pathway is established for clubs in three distinct geographic areas. Clubs that wish to provide aspirational cricket can do so and clubs that wish to provide recreational cricket can do so. Structured regional leagues that provide a tiered path relative to the demands of the member clubs.

41 SNCL WCL CCL ECL WDCU SP&U ESCA

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44 Celtic Cup on the agenda William Dick (Cricket Media Scotland) 20 October 2011 SCOTTISH cricket chiefs are in talks with their Irish counterparts over the formation of a Celtic Cup. The new tournament, which could be introduced as early as next summer, would pit Scotland s three Regional Teams against Provincial sides representing the north and south of Ireland. Cricket Scotland s Head of Performance Andy Tennant revealed: We have had very positives discussions with our colleagues from Cricket Ireland about the possibility of a new one-day competition. From our point of view it would push our existing Regional Series to the next level. We see it as a six-team tournament playing one-day cricket with matches taking place both in Scotland and Ireland. Our plans are at an early stage but we would like to see the new competition introduced as soon as possible ideally in Scotland s Regional Tri-Series featuring sides from the West, East and North was introduced last year. Caledonian Highlanders won the inaugural event and successfully defended their title this summer.

45 If you are going to do a windup, do it on a scale that is so extreme that it creates discussion, but in doing so, making sure that the contents of the wind-up do have some elements of truth that are variations of possibilities. This wind-up on Rampant Lion this summer made me laugh. I spent an afternoon working out the feasibility of the suggestion, however fanciful it may seem. It is actually cheaper and quicker to go and play a game in Denmark, Holland or Ireland than it would be going from Dumfries to Aberdeen.

46 An 8 or 10 or 12 team premier league with Regional Premier Leagues feeding the single National Premier League. This is primarily as submitted and discussed by Richard Young (except selection for National Premier shown is based on league placing rather than evenly distributed geographical rankings (4 from each Region) Discussion would be required on Number of teams in National Premier League Promotion and relegation (suggested option Bottom national premier relegated automatically second bottom enters one game play off with three Premier League winners to decide which two play in National Premier in following season Potential role of T20 Cricket and Scottish Cup

47 Composition Premiership Placed 1 Premiership Placed 2 Premiership Placed 3 Premiership Placed 4 Premiership Placed 5 Premiership Placed 6 Premiership Placed 7 Premiership Placed 8 Premiership Placed 9 Premiership Placed 10 Premiership Placed 11 Premiership Placed 12 Club on current rankings Carlton Forfarshire Arbroath Heriots Aberdeenshire Watsonians Grange Clydesdale Stoneywood Dyce Dunfermline West of Scotland Greenock Clubs based on Current ranking in SNCL or Feeder League Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Uddingston West Lothian Stirling County Ayr SMRH Falkland Drumpellier RH Costorphine Freuchie Renfrew Stenhousemuir Strathmore Poloc Penicuik Dundee HSFP East Kilbride Edinburgh Accies Meigle Weirs Fauldhouse Huntly Dumfries Marchmont Strathearn Ferguslie Murrayfield DAFS Kinloch Kelburne Holy Cross Kinross

48 2 x 8 team Cricket Scotland Premier League with T20 League Cup Creation of a Premier League with two divisions of eight teams CS Premier League could potentially become operational in 2012 if agreement is reached to include first 14 placed teams in SNCL Premiership plus the two winners of a play off between bottom two clubs in the SNCL Premiership and top two clubs in the SNCL Championship (Alternative is to have a qualification year with similar play off system) Two losing play off teams and remaining 13 teams in SNCL integrated into Regional League structure Teams to play each other home and away (14 matches) Bottom team in Premier 1 relegated to Premier 2. Top team in Premier 2 promoted to Premier 1 Bottom team in Premier 2 enters a two stage play off with 3 Regional League winners to decide one team who will compete in Premier 2 the following season OR increase the changeover of teams by automatically relegating bottom team in Premier 2 and including second bottom team in a one stage play off with 3 Regional League winners to decide which two teams will compete in Premier 2 the following season. Four week window (excluding finals day) created for T20 League Cup with coloured clothing and white ball. Sixteen Premier League Clubs split into four sections of four on a regional basis with each team playing six matches. Four Regional winners compete in National T20 Finals day Scottish Cup to remain as 40 or 50 over knock out / sectional tournament on Sundays

49 Cricket Scotland - Premier 1 Cricket Scotland - Premier 2 Carlton Stoneywood Dyce Forfarshire Dunfermline Arbroath West of Scotland Heriots Greenock Aberdeenshire Uddingston Watsonians Ayr Grange Stirling County Clydesdale Drumpellier Clubs based on Current ranking SNCL or Region Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Renfrew West Lothian Falkland Poloc SMRH Freuchie East Kilbride RH Costorphine Strathmore Weirs Stenhousemuir Dundee HSFP Dumfries Edinburgh Accies Meigle Ferguslie Penicuik Huntly Kelburne Fauldhouse Strathearn Prestwick Marchmont Kinloch St Michaels Murrayfield DAFS Kinross Glasgow Accies Holy Cross Rossie Priory

50 Two 18 team leagues split East and West. Each league team plays each other once (17 games) and the winners of each league play each other to decide Scottish League Champions. Second placed teams play in Plate while third placed play in Vase. 18 games max! 2 nd XIs play mirror competition and winners also play off to decide 2 nd XI Scottish League Champions. Bottom team in play off (not automatic relegation) with winners of league below. Western Union Conference Western Union Reserve League Eastern Union Conference Eastern Union Reserve League Clydesdale Titwood Carlton Carlton II West of Scotland Partick Heriots Heriots II Greenock Glenpark Watsonians Watsonians II Uddingston Bothwell Grange Grange II Ayr Cambusdoon Forfarshire Forthill Drumpellier Langloan Arbroath Arbroath United Renfrew Moorcroft Aberdeenshire Mannofield Poloc Shawholm Stoneywood Dyce Stoneywood Dyce II East Kilbride Torrance House Dunfermline McKane Park Weirs Albert Park Stirling County Williamfield Dumfries Nunholm West Lothian Boghall Ferguslie Meikleriggs SMRH SMRH II Kelburne Whitehaugh RH Costorphine RH Corstorphine II Prestwick St. Ninians Stenhousemuir Stenhousemuir II St Michaels Kingholm Edinburgh Accies Edinburgh Accies II Glasgow Accies Anniesland Penicuik Penicuik II Irvine Maress Falkland Falkland II Hillhead Hughenden Freuchie Freuchie II

51 Dissolve the current national league and allow the 31 member clubs to integrate into the three existing principal regional leagues. This would effectively help create three stronger Regional Premier Leagues. It is envisaged that this strengthened regional structure may ease the financial and travel burden on many clubs, while encouraging more players to stay in the game. There is also still potential scope for a National Club Champion to be found through an end of season play off system. Three Regional Premier Leagues All 31 SNCL teams integrated into one of, WDCU, ESCA or S&PU creating Western, Eastern and Caledonian Premier Leagues. Leagues could be composed of 8,10 or 12 teams as required CS Regional League Council to be established to support development of regional infrastructures and quality assurance of league systems Governance challenges around the structure of cricket in will require a special sub group to be formed Border League currently has nomination right for SNCL play off. Under any new structure this seems unlikely to continue and will be resolved through dialogue with CS and potentially ESCA. Size of Premier League to be at discretion of Regional Leagues but complement envisaged ideally to be 8/10 teams, depending on quality of playing standard available in region Potential window could be created for a four week National T20 Cup competition drawn in sections. National Championship Play off system to be devised for Regional Premiership winners Regional Premier leagues to have one / two team promotion and relegation integrating fully into existing regional structures. Strict participant, coaching and facilities criteria to be put in place to ensure integrity of Premier Leagues is protected Scottish Cup could revert to previous Sunday sectional format, with open draw to promote inter league matches.

52 Clubs based on Current ranking in SNCL or Region (10 team example given) Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Clydesdale Carlton Forfarshire West of Scotland Heriots Arbroath Greenock Watsonians Aberdeenshire Uddingston Grange Stoneywood Dyce Ayr West Lothian Dunfermline Drumpellier SMRH Stirling County Renfrew RH Costorphine Falkland Poloc Stenhousemuir Freuchie East Kilbride Edinburgh Accies Dundee HSFP Weirs Penicuik Strathmore Western Div 1 Eastern Div 1 Caley Div 1 Dumfries Fauldhouse Meigle Ferguslie Marchmont Huntly Kelburne Murrayfield DAFS Strathearn Prestwick Holy Cross Kinloch St Michaels Boroughmuir Kinross Glasgow Accies Largo Rossie Priory Irvine Glenrothes St Modans GUSCC Kismet Gordonians Hillhead Musselburgh Norwood GHK Westquarter Clackmannan Other Potential Options Many other potential permutations were possible and several players favoured simply tweaking the current 32 team system into four leagues of eight but with the top two leagues national and bottom two regionalised into east and west. This wasn t included in the options to be discussed as a variation on this theme was tried in 2004 and 2005.

53 National Premier Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Carlton West of Scotland West Lothian Stirling County Forfarshire Greenock SMRH Falkland Arbroath Uddingston RH Costorphine Freuchie Heriots Ayr Stenhousemuir Strathmore Aberdeenshire Drumpellier Penicuik Dundee HSFP Watsonians Renfrew Edinburgh Accies Meigle Grange Poloc Fauldhouse Huntly Clydesdale East Kilbride Marchmont Strathearn Stoneywood Dyce Weirs Murrayfield DAFS Kinloch Dunfermline Dumfries Holy Cross Kinross A 10 team National Premier League fed by 3 Regional Premier Leagues. Discussion would be required on promotion and relegation, suggested option Bottom national premier relegated automatically second bottom enters one game play off with three Premier League winners to decide which two play in National Premier in following season

54 National Premier 1 National Premier 2 Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Carlton West of Scotland Weirs Edinburgh Falkland Forfarshire Greenock Dumfries SMRH Freuchie Arbroath Uddingston Ferguslie RH Costorphine Strathmore Heriots Ayr Kelburne Stenhousemuir Dundee HSFP Aberdeenshire Stirling County Prestwick Penicuik Meigle Watsonians Drumpellier St Michaels Edinburgh Accies Huntly Grange West Lothian Glasgow Accies Fauldhouse Strathearn Clydesdale Renfrew Irvine Marchmont Kinloch Stoneywood-Dyce Poloc GUSCC Murrayfield Dafs Kinross Dunfermline East Kilbride Hillhead Holy Cross Rossie Priory A 20 team National League in two divisions of 10 fed by 3 Regional Premier Leagues. Bottom team in premier 1 relegated automatically with Premier 2 winners promoted, Second bottom of Premier 1 and second placed team in Premier 2 play off with winners playing in Premier 1 and loser in Premier 2 the following season. Bottom team in National Premier 2 relegated automatically and second bottom team enters one game play off with three Premier League winners to decide which two play in National Premier 2 the following season

55 Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Clydesdale Carlton Forfarshire West of Scotland Heriots Arbroath Greenock Watsonians Aberdeenshire Uddingston Grange Stoneywood Dyce Ayr West Lothian Dunfermline Drumpellier SMRH Stirling County Renfrew RH Costorphine Falkland Poloc Stenhousemuir Freuchie East Kilbride Edinburgh Accies Dundee HSFP Weirs Penicuik Strathmore Western Div 1 Eastern Div 1 Caley Div 1 Dumfries Edinburgh Meigle Ferguslie Fauldhouse Huntly Kelburne Marchmont Strathearn Prestwick Murrayfield DAFS Kinloch St Michaels Holy Cross Kinross Glasgow Accies Boroughmuir Rossy Priory Irvine Largo St Modans GUSCC Glenrothes Gordonians Hillhead Kismet Norwood GHK Musselburgh Clackmannan All 32 SNCL teams integrated into one of, WDCU, ESCA or S&PU creating Western, Eastern and Caledonian Premier Leagues with straightforward choices for promotion /relegation Straightforward choices for promotion and relegation in Western Conference and Western Premier League. Potential for winners of both Eastern and Caledonian Premier Leagues to replace bottom two in East Coast Conference the following season

56 Western Premier Western Premier Reserve League Eastern Premier Eastern Premier Reserve League Caley Premier Caley Premier Reserve League Clydesdale Titwood Carlton Carlton II Forfarshire Forthill West of Scotland Partick Heriots Heriots II Arbroath Arbroath United Greenock Glenpark Watsonians Watsonians II Aberdeenshire Mannofield Uddingston Bothwell Grange Grange II Stoneywood Dyce Stoneywood Dyce II Ayr Cambusdoon West Lothian West Lothian II Dunfermline McKane Park Drumpellier Langloan SMRH SMRH II Stirling County Williamfield Renfrew Moorcroft RH Costorphine RH Costorphine II Falkland Falkland II Poloc Shawholm Stenhousemuir Stenhousemuir II Freuchie Freuchie II East Kilbride Torrance House Edinburgh Accies Edinburgh Accies II Dundee HSFP Dalnacraig Weirs Albert Park Penicuik Penicuik II Strathmore Strathmore II Western Div 1 Div 1 Reserve Eastern Div 1 Div 1 Reserve Caley Div 1 Div 1 Reserve Dumfries Nunholm Fauldhouse Fauldhouse II Meigle Meigle II Ferguslie Meikleriggs Marchmont Marchmont II Huntly Huntly II Kelburne Whitehaugh Murrayfield DAFS Murrayfield DAFS II Strathearn Strathearn II Prestwick St. Ninians Holy Cross Holy Cross II Kinloch Kinloch II St Michaels Kingholm Boroughmuir Boroughmuir II Kinross Kinross II Glasgow Accies Anniesland Largo Largo II Rossie Priory Rossie Priory II Irvine Marress Glenrothes Glenrothes II St Modans St Modans II GUSCC Garscube Kismet Kismet II Gordonians Gordonians II Hillhead Hughenden Musselburgh Musselburgh II Norwood Norwood II GHK Balgray Westquarter Westquarter II Clackmannan? Clackmannan II

57 Western Conference Clydesdale West of Scotland Greenock Uddingston Ayr Drumpellier Renfrew Poloc East Kilbride Weirs East Coast Conference Carlton Heriots Watsonians Grange Forfarshire Arbroath Aberdeenshire Stoneywood Dyce Dunfermline Stirling County Two division National League divided into two conferences with linear structure in West. East Coast Conference fed by Eastern and Caledonian Premier Leagues Western Premier Eastern Premier Caley Premier Dumfries West Lothian Falkland Ferguslie SMRH Freuchie Kelburne RH Costorphine Dundee HSFP Prestwick Stenhousemuir Strathmore St Michaels Edinburgh Accies Meigle Glasgow Accies Penicuik Huntly Irvine Fauldhouse Strathearn GUSCC Marchmont Kinloch Hillhead Murrayfield DAFS Kinross GHK Holy Cross Rossie Priory

58 Are we dragons, or are we dinosaurs?

59 The sides participating in the SNCL are "teams" from clubs operating under the jurisdiction of the regional feeder leagues, therefore, and this is the most salient point in all of the SNCL re-structuring arguments, are the interests of a "team" far greater than their own club, their members and the future wellbeing of their respective regional feeder league and its member clubs? With all the criteria and facilities issues that are a requisite to participate in the SNCL, can clubs continue to afford to meet the stipulated conditions, in what is an amateur sport with no financial reward for success? The SNCL no longer provides the pathway for representative and international selection as was first envisaged. The Academy system is identifying the future players at an early stage, and with TopClub and all the junior initiatives, combined with the "whole club development" aspects, the pathway for success for cricketers is easily attained. The current economic climate, together with rising costs to play, to operate as a club, participation, travel logistics, player numbers, other interests etc, are impacting on the sport, and when there is also encroachment into the cricket season by other sports, such as hockey, rugby and football, the desires/demands of cricket participation are somewhat curtailed. The availability of cricket grounds, and such availability issues seriously affect the operation of not only the SNCL, but the respective regional feeder leagues and all the fixture manipulation that has to be done therein. A basic criteria issue for a national league to operate must be the availability of the grounds of the participating "teams" from the 1st May onwards of any given season, not only for SNCL purposes, but for the operation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs participating in the various regional feeder leagues below. The most important point though, and it is one that deserves some serious consideration by all those that play or enjoy cricket, and it is a personal opinion I hasten to add, are the interests of 31 teams greater than the hundred odd clubs in the regional feeder leagues, and if so, surely the regional feeder leagues have to be robust, structured, have pathways for aspirational or recreational cricket for the member clubs in place and also be adaptable to change, whatever that change may be?

60 The Questions of Conscience: How to return either 12 teams or 22 teams to their respective feeder leagues, in a fair and equitable manner, and also retain the SNCL Play-off winner in either version, without involving civil litigation? How do you provide a solution to a problem that has the following difficulties: (i) the extant 31 SNCL teams have been playing to a system that they agreed upon but has been unworkable due to the pre-season Edinburgh Cricket Club removal and the terrible weather throughout the 2011 season which have combined to create a false positioning of a number of teams throughout the structure. (ii) the impact on the future operation of the three feeder leagues. (iii) introduction of a qualifying process to go from 32 teams 20 teams, or 32 teams 10 teams. (iv) it is an amateur sport that is costly to play, whether it is aspirational or recreational, and that there is no legitimate financial reward for successful teams. How do you accommodate, in a fair and equitable manner, the three main feeder leagues who have very different operational aspects, and whatever changes are made to the SNCL structure, will have a cascade effect throughout these same leagues? How do you bring about a change, in a fair and equitable manner, to the current structure that does not result in huge difficulties elsewhere? How do clubs adapt to a structural change affecting their teams, in a fair and equitable manner? How do you implement a structural change that changes the operation of domestic cricket for the better, in a fair and equitable manner? How do you decide who the top 10 or top 20 teams are in a fair and equitable manner? How do you decide which teams are suitable for the SNCL and which teams are not in a fair and equitable manner?

61 The regional feeder league structure has to be corrected to have greater participation by the member clubs, and have in place the criteria, facilities and necessary requirements that tick ALL the boxes before a national league can be properly implemented, let alone maintained. Scottish cricket has to be seen to be fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience. It is not about the hopes and desires of a team who are a group of individuals that are part of a club. It is about all clubs having teams that are truly competent to compete and that all the criteria issues are fully met and are from regional leagues that are properly managed and operated and that the respective league clubs are on aspirational/recreational pathways to find their true levels. It must be about truth, honesty, transparency, no hidden agendas, the interests of cricket, the spirit of the game, decency, camaraderie, the removal of false pretensions, the delivery of meaningful and purposeful cricket for all, proper administration, accountability, establishing pathways for participation and not using the sport to fuel the engines of megalomania. The priorities must be about development and working in partnership. FSG Proposal Statement on behalf of the WDCU: The WDCU fully supports the Cricket Scotland Future Structures Group and welcomes the dialogue that has taken place within it in relation to the organisation of domestic club cricket. The options proposed by the Future Structures Group on the immediate future of the Scottish National Cricket League are to reduce the SNCL to two divisions of ten teams or to revert to fully regionalised club cricket under the auspices of the WDCU, SP&U and ESCA. After initial consultation with those WDCU clubs currently represented in SNCL, the WDCU Executive consider that full regionalisation, in conjunction with an expanded domestic representative competition, end-of-season inter-league play-offs to determine a national champion, and continuation of both national cup competitions, best represents the preferred option of a clear majority of these clubs, and is also the preferred option of a clear majority of the WDCU Executive determining it to provide the greatest good for the greatest number over the longest period of time. However, the operational aspects of a return of any team to the WDCU resulting from either option being adopted can be facilitated within the structure introduced by the WDCU in 2011 which provides a framework aimed at strengthening and developing all WDCU clubs, meeting their aspirations and continually providing support for facilities and other improvement. The WDCU will convene a meeting of all member clubs to decide which option is the preferred option of its member clubs as a whole.

62 A structural change has to consider the following: Standard v Need Criteria and Facilities v Availability Personal Desire v "Club" Ambition Cost v Income Fact v Economics Planning v Progress The Greater Good v Short-term Success Whole Club Development v Super Team Dominance

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68 How do you operate the Falkirk Schism? To make it competitive and different, do you ask the WDCU to create 2 "super-leagues" with promotion/relegation and winners to play off against the equivalent east/north "super leagues" to decide a national champion and if required a "conference" champion for the 2nd tier. 18 league games + a play-off for winners. Add the Scottish Cup/SCU Trophy as a second national competition, the Murgitroyd T/20 as a third - you have meaningful cricket. You could add a fourth competition like a CB40 cup and you put a team from each of the 4 leagues into 8 groups of five - round-robin format with group winners to quarter- finals, then semis, then final. So, in effect, you give the players what they want: (a) Competitive Saturday League format with end of season play-off to declare who is top-dog. 19 games max. (b) Scottish Cup/SCU Trophy for Sunday national knock-out cup competition. 6 games max (c) Regional T/20 culminating in the Murgritroyd T/20 showdown. (d) A CB40 type Sunday League competition (no replays, 1 point each if cancelled, group winner decided by NRR if required). 7 games max. (Scottish Cricket League 40 SCL40 ) Now that looks like an acceptable compromise that the respective feeder leagues can agree on. It is measured to give the players what they perceive to be a high standard. Hard league cricket, knockout national cup, a league cup in a shorter format (and could be used as a developmental vehicle for some) and the obligatory T/20 thrash cricket with a finals day as the ultimate prize. The 2 nd XI cricket can be left up to respective feeder leagues to decide how to operate. A distinct quasi-national league vehicle is retained, albeit geographically, with re-vamped priorities and additional competition for players to enjoy.

69 West Cricket League 1 West Cricket League 2 East Cricket League 1 East Cricket League 2 Clydesdale Uddingston West of Scotland Ayr Drumpellier Greenock Dumfries Poloc Renfrew Weirs East Kilbride Ferguslie Kelburne Prestwick St. Michaels Glasgow Accies Hillhead GHK Irvine GU Staff Carlton Arbroath Forfarshire Aberdeenshire Watsonians Grange Heriots Dunfermline Stoneywood-Dyce Stirling County West Lothian SMRH R H Corstorphine Falkland Freuchie Edinburgh Accies Stenhousemuir Penicuik Fauldhouse DHSFP West Cricket League 1 Winner V East Cricket League 1 Winner West Cricket League 2 Winner V East Cricket League 2 Winner SCL 40 (1) SCL 40 (2) SCL 40 (3) SCL 40 (4) SCL 40 (5) SCL 40 (6) SCL 40 (7) SCL 40 (8) Clydesdale East Kilbride Arbroath Edi Accies Uddingston West Weirs Aberdeenshire Penicuik Ayr GHK Ferguslie Watsonians DHSFP Drumpellier Greenock Kelburne Grange Stirling County Dumfries Poloc Irvine Heriots Fauldhouse Hillhead Prestwick Dunfermline Stenhousemuir St.Michaels Sto-Dyce SMRH West Lothian Renfrew Carlton RH Corstorphine Glasgow Accies Forfarshire Falkland GU Staff Freuchie A SCL40 Sunday League competition (no replays, 1 point each if cancelled, group winner decided by NRR if required). 7 games max.

70 National Champion Western Cricket League Division 1 Eastern Cricket League Division 1 Western Cricket League Division 2 Eastern Cricket League Division 2 WDCU Incorporating WDJCU and WRA ESCA Incorporating ECA S&PU Incorporating CCA

71 An analogy to what happened in the west? The existing clubs in Perth Strathearn, Mayfield, Northern, Almond Valley and Perth County Cricket Club (PCCC) will effectively go into abeyance as a result and, subject to final sign-off from members of each Club, the playing, coaching, equipment and financial resources of each Club will transfer in to the new Club to be known as Perth Doo cot Cricket Club. The approach throughout the process was an inclusive one according to Andy Garnett (SCC) and Graham Ferguson (PCCC/MCC), We always felt that the process would be best served by all clubs supporting the merger while feeling that they were fully involved in decisions rather than having anything forced on them. There have been many informal chats amongst the players during the 2011 season and it is clear that the principle of one club in Perth has their support and so now we need to provide them with the detail. We also stressed that Junior Development is a fundamental part of the new set-up. For many years, clubs have worked hard at providing opportunities for Juniors but then watched as many left the area to play at a higher level. We want to stop that trend and offer youngsters the opportunity to have their ambitions met in Perth. It may not happen instantly but it has to happen, and the Working Group are convinced this Club will offer that opportunity. Whilst it will represent the end of an era, Andy feel s the future is now the focus. Perth has seen many successes on the pitch over the long history of its clubs. Those who played a part in running these Clubs are to be commended for the huge commitment they have shown over many years. Don t underestimate how hard it s been for some to break that connection or for those who retain an emotional attachment, to question the move. However, it s the long-term health of cricket in Perth that we are initially trying to protect and then improve. Gradually, the landscape of 5 Clubs has become unsustainable. The vision is of a number of senior sides where players will play at their level, but one which offers a pathway for the best to progress and which is underpinned by a thriving Junior Section, is the one we feel will eventually deliver that successful change.