Christchurch is proud to enjoy a very strong Junior Girls competition. We have more than 22 girls only junior teams in 3 grades playing cricket on a Saturday morning. The CJCA are very committed to continue this success and continue to grow the number of girls playing junior cricket in Christchurch.
Girls Grades
Girls can play in mixed or girls only teams. Generally younger girls (Yr 1 - 4) play in mixed teams and as they get older they move into a girls teams that plays in one of the three girls grades that CJCA offers. There are three girls only grades which cater for ages Yr 4 - 8 (primary/intermediate school age group).
Girls Super 8 targets years 4 - 5 and plays with a soft ball
Girls Yrs 5/6 targets years 5 - 6 and plays with a leather ball
Girls Yrs 7/8 targets years 7 - 8 and plays with a leather ball
The broad range of ages for each grade take into account the experience and range of ages typical in a club's girls only team. There are subtle differences between the grades. In general it is advisable to spend a maximum of two seasons in any one grade as the rate at which they grow and develop each season is remarkable. Typically most teams enjoy the challenge of stepping up a grade and quickly adapt to and master the new grade. The Girls Yrs 5/6 grade is designed as a gentle transition into playing with a leather ball with pads and helmets. Our Girls Yrs 7/8 grade provides a competitive hardball grade for experienced and/or talented primary and intermediate players.
Beyond our junior grades our girls progress to the girls Youth grades, which can be found under the Adult Metro competition which is administered by Canterbury Cricket. The 3rd Grade Youth teams are typically made up of talented girls from Yr 6 right up to Yr 11.
Gala Day (start of the season)
Our season starts at 9am on Saturday 16 October at Hagley Park – Polo Grounds (by the old Blenheim Rd roundabout). Our junior girls get the opportunity to meet the best female players in Christchurch (The Magicians) – they will run coaching stations, give away free gifts and it is generally a fun occasion. The girls should come along in their team gear.
If you have not yet found a team for your daughter then come along and we will find an appropriate team for you to play in – or you can give Barry a call 021 336837 and he will help you find a suitable club. Some of the Magicians also play for the NZ White Ferns so this is a great opportunity for the girls to rub shoulders with our top female cricketers.
Regional Tournaments
The CJCA runs a “spring tournament” in November and a “summer tournament” in February each season. Parents or coaches can nominate the girls here
We strongly encourage all girls to play in this tournament – even if this is your first year of cricket. It is great fun, the girls get to meet and play with other girls from different teams and the games are generally very close because we select four even year 5/6 teams and 4 even year 7/8 teams. They are played on two or three consecutive Sundays away from Hagley Park.
If you have friends who are good cricketers but play another sport on a Saturday but would like to enter the tournament – then encourage them to nominate themselves.
The main emphasis is on raising the level of cricket- but representative teams are also selected from this tournament.
Representative Opportunities
We strongly suggest that you play in the regional tournaments in order to be selected as a CJCA representative.
The 2010/11 season is going to be the fullest season of representative cricket in our history. (The dates are penciled in at this stage and may change without warning)
11 and Under CJCA Representatives
· 24-26 January 2011 will play 4 teams/regions in Auckland
· A game versus Wellington
· Potentially other games as well
13 and under CJCA Representatives
· 24-26 January 2011 will play 4 teams/regions in Auckland
· A game versus Wellington
· Potentially other games as well
· Some of these girls will also be eligible for u15 honours
Under 15 Canterbury Representatives
· Metro trial – 22 November 2010
· Regional Tournament on 20-22 December 2010. Two Chch teams selected.
· Canterbury team vs Otago – 17-19 Jan 2011 in Christchurch
· U15 Wanganui Cricket Festival (8 major and minor associations including Wellington, Auckland) – 10-14 January 2011 ( a Chch Metro team has been selected already from last year)
Under 16 Metro
· Playing against a Brisbane Girls representative side in Brisbane (team selected already)
Grade Convenors
Click here to see the current contact details for all the girls convenors.
Want to help?
We are always looking for people who may want to help – we would love to hear from you if you are keen for a few weeks or if you are keen to be involved on the committee. Please call Barry on 021 336837 if you want to discuss what is available.
