In the coming weeks Cricket Victoria will be announcing changes to the junior player pathway model in Victoria.
In the coming weeks Cricket Victoria will be announcing changes to the junior player pathway model in Victoria.
The changes will be officially launched later in June with the aim of further streamlining the journey from junior cricket to representative squads.
In metro regions, the existing Victorian Premier Cricket representative competitions of the Dowling Shield and Marg Jennings Cup will be shifted to younger age groups. The male age group will change from under 17 to under 16, while the female competition will move from under 18 to under 15.
Additionally, a new Premier Cricket under 18’s competition will be created, ensuring the top age of the pathway aligns with the state’s highest level of club competition.
Country regions will have a new competition called the ‘Country Cup’, catering to the same age groups as the Dowling Shield and Marg Jennings Cup competitions.
The Country Cup will be delivered by the Cricket Victoria’s Cricket Performance department and aims to provide equal opportunities for talented players across regional Victoria.
The competition will involve six Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL) regions; Western Waves, Central Highlands, Mallee Murray Suns, Northern Rivers, North-East Knights, and Gippsland Pride.
The two remaining country regions (Barwon Rockets & Southeast Country Sharks) both have a Premier Cricket club within their region boundaries (Barwon – Geelong CC & Southeast Country – Frankston CC).
Melbourne’s winning Marg Jennings Cup squad in 2023.
Each of the 18 male and 10 female Premier Cricket Clubs and the six country regions will also establish their own development academy squads.
Academy squads will provide additional development opportunities for the best emerging talent in the under 16 male and 15 female age groups.
Club and association officials and coaches will be invited to attend an information session later this month.
The revamped Cricket Victoria Player Pathway will replace the Youth Premier League.
