Adelaide Hills Cricket (Hills, A&EH, TV) 2010-11

[Amateur Footy]

I think an ideal system would be. Div 1, 2, 3, 4 etc etc. like Ametuer footy. Abolish the need for A, B, C grade etc etc.

Take a club like Bridgewater for example their first XI may be playing in Div 1 whilst their second XI may only be in div 4. Basket Ranges' first XI for example may only be in Div 3.

Ensures parity (in terms of standard) in competition each week. Also allows for Torrens Valley, Hills and A&EH leagues to combine because playing numbers seem to be on the decline accross the board!

This is the system in Adelaide & Suburban. Working very well there, comp is as big as I can remember with 5 sections of 12 teams and sections 6 & 7 with 10 teams. Might be bigger soon if SCA folds...

[Banker]

I think an ideal system would be. Div 1, 2, 3, 4 etc etc. like Ametuer footy. Abolish the need for A, B, C grade etc etc.

Take a club like Bridgewater for example their first XI may be playing in Div 1 whilst their second XI may only be in div 4. Basket Ranges' first XI for example may only be in Div 3.

Whats wrong with the current system? Seems like all you want to do is ditch the C & D grade?

[2jox]

I think an ideal system would be. Div 1, 2, 3, 4 etc etc. like Ametuer footy. Abolish the need for A, B, C grade etc etc.

Take a club like Bridgewater for example their first XI may be playing in Div 1 whilst their second XI may only be in div 4. Basket Ranges' first XI for example may only be in Div 3.

Whats wrong with the current system? Seems like all you want to do is ditch the C & D grade?

Which part of my previous post suggested ditching the C & D grades?

The idea would be practical if each of the 3 leagues (Hills, A&EH and Torrens Valley) kept losing playing numbers, and when considering Stirling are apparently struggling and Bridgy wont be too many seasons away from pulling their A's, probably will be sooner rather than later! Torrens Valley have a 6 team comp I think and Lobey have more flags than I've had hot dinners.

To reiterate my Idea to you Flanker (just something to chew over) would incorporate clubs from all 3 associations and match them against suitable oppositions.

Div 1
Uraidla First XI
Meadows
Aldgate
Lobey
Nairne
etc etc

Div 2
Bridgewater
Happy Valley
Mt Lofty
Aldgate Second XI
Mylor
Ashbourne
Eastern Ranges
etc etc

Div 3
Meadows Second XI
Aldgate Third XI
Bridgewater Second XI
etc etc

Each club could still submit enough teams to cover demand however again ensuring they are playing against suitable opposition. For example Ashbourne's best XI is obviously going to be better suited to playing the likes of Aldgate's Second XI than fronting up against the likes of M.Sinclair!

Any questions Flanker ? I think that covered the reason and system of the idea + doesn't eliminate the C & D grades.

[BCC]

Good point, I heard old boy Evans was playing for Stirling in the A's on Saturday?

[Dutchy]

I know Stirling were scratching desperately for numbers to fill a D grade team

[Banker]

I think an ideal system would be. Div 1, 2, 3, 4 etc etc. like Ametuer footy. Abolish the need for A, B, C grade etc etc.

Take a club like Bridgewater for example their first XI may be playing in Div 1 whilst their second XI may only be in div 4. Basket Ranges' first XI for example may only be in Div 3.

Whats wrong with the current system? Seems like all you want to do is ditch the C & D grade?

Which part of my previous post suggested ditching the C & D grades?

The idea would be practical if each of the 3 leagues (Hills, A&EH and Torrens Valley) kept losing playing numbers, and when considering Stirling are apparently struggling and Bridgy wont be too many seasons away from pulling their A's, probably will be sooner rather than later! Torrens Valley have a 6 team comp I think and Lobey have more flags than I've had hot dinners.

To reiterate my Idea to you Flanker (just something to chew over) would incorporate clubs from all 3 associations and match them against suitable oppositions.

Div 1
Uraidla First XI
Meadows
Aldgate
Lobey
Nairne
etc etc

Div 2
Bridgewater
Happy Valley
Mt Lofty
Aldgate Second XI
Mylor
Ashbourne
Eastern Ranges
etc etc

Div 3
Meadows Second XI
Aldgate Third XI
Bridgewater Second XI
etc etc

Each club could still submit enough teams to cover demand however again ensuring they are playing against suitable opposition. For example Ashbourne's best XI is obviously going to be better suited to playing the likes of Aldgate's Second XI than fronting up against the likes of M.Sinclair!

Any questions Flanker ? I think that covered the reason and system of the idea + doesn't eliminate the C & D grades.

So your ground breaking idea is to merge the competitions and change the divisions from letters to numerals.
Genius!

Im sure that would attract plenty of players back to the game....

The most appealing part of playing in the Hills is that the furtherest game is only 25min away. Merging the comps would be suicide. If you want to travel an hour each week to play cricket, go play Turf in town!

[2jox]

Few points to address:

"Furtherest" is not a word. Refer here next time: http://dictionary.reference.com/. Before embarressing yourself again.

"Suicide" will be the case if something is not done about the a grade stocks over the coming years, particularly the Torrens Valley comp. Though you blokes who can only manage to bat / bowl for 40 overs a week probably wont know about this grade. I can imagine that the thought of playing only one game over two weeks is overwhelming.

I think the format I mentioned (simply as something to talk about) would be far more localised than playing Adelaide Turf as you so astutely suggested. It is a magnificent marketing plan you raised though; "If you want to drive an hour each way come play Adelaide Turf" - I will be forwarding this suggestion on to the league's administrators straight away. I hope you do not mind if I take some if not all of the credit for this ground breaking moto.

[flanker]

Few points to address:

"Furtherest" is not a word. Refer here next time: http://dictionary.reference.com/. Before embarressing yourself again.

"Suicide" will be the case if something is not done about the a grade stocks over the coming years, particularly the Torrens Valley comp. Though you blokes who can only manage to bat / bowl for 40 overs a week probably wont know about this grade. I can imagine that the thought of playing only one game over two weeks is overwhelming.

I think the format I mentioned (simply as something to talk about) would be far more localised than playing Adelaide Turf as you so astutely suggested. It is a magnificent marketing plan you raised though; "If you want to drive an hour each way come play Adelaide Turf" - I will be forwarding this suggestion on to the league's administrators straight away. I hope you do not mind if I take some if not all of the credit for this ground breaking moto.

I reckon you may wanna have a look at that site too!!

[2jox]

I was expecting you to give me more than that.

[flanker]

But agreed, one day it will surely be one comp. Torrens Valley is in a lot of trouble, heard that Loby & Woodside were seriously considering possibly joining the Hills comp. Surely Loby would want more of a challenge that what they are currently getting.

[Banker]

Few points to address:

"Furtherest" is not a word. Refer here next time: http://dictionary.reference.com/. Before embarressing yourself again.

"Suicide" will be the case if something is not done about the a grade stocks over the coming years, particularly the Torrens Valley comp. Though you blokes who can only manage to bat / bowl for 40 overs a week probably wont know about this grade. I can imagine that the thought of playing only one game over two weeks is overwhelming.

I think the format I mentioned (simply as something to talk about) would be far more localised than playing Adelaide Turf as you so astutely suggested. It is a magnificent marketing plan you raised though; "If you want to drive an hour each way come play Adelaide Turf" - I will be forwarding this suggestion on to the league's administrators straight away. I hope you do not mind if I take some if not all of the credit for this ground breaking moto.

'embarressing'!

Anyway, how about something similar to the Hills Netball competition? They have created a very successful "league" competition for the best teams in the hills, and kept the associations together for the minor grades. It would bring down the A grade competition across the hills, but it would concentrate the best players and create a higher standard of competition.

Eg
2011/2012 Courier Cup League
Meadows
Uraidla
Onkas
Lobethal
Woodside
Strath
Nairne
Handorf

Bottom 2 sides up for relegation. A grade premier's from each comp have the opportunity to be promoted.

[saintal]

But agreed, one day it will surely be one comp. Torrens Valley is in a lot of trouble, heard that Loby & Woodside were seriously considering possibly joining the Hills comp. Surely Loby would want more of a challenge that what they are currently getting.

You’d think that the great finals underachievers might want to actually win some silverware before moving on....

Have also heard that Lobey are seriously looking elsewhere for next summer, and that TVCA are aware of this.

Some talk that if Lobey and/or Woodside leave, all TVCA clubs will be forced to field their top side in the “A” Grade comp which would make it a larger comp. In theory it is not a bad idea, but for smaller clubs with only team it could see them fielding 4 or 5 players who just aren’t up to that level. If the going gets too hard for those guys they will slowly drop off, and clubs will be battling.

Lobey and Woodside currently provide about 1/3 of all the senior teams in TVCA, so if they go, the comp will be down to just 2 grades.

I think the multi divisional (promotion/relegation) structure has some merit. As pointed out, travel will be an issue as is the case with Div 2 footy (Cambrai to Meadows etc), but this does allow for some pub-crawls home

The other option would be the Courier league netball style mentioned above. TVCA would retain its “A” Grade comp, with Lobethal and Woodside’s second 11 taking part in it. Coming from Lenswood, it would be a shame if the rivalries with our neighbouring two clubs were lost completely.

[Justquietly]

Hi Lads, some good discussion.
Forgive my ignorance re this suggested Courier Cup League. Would that mean that those teams suggested in the example are the top tier of hills cricket, with their B grade teams playing as A grade teams in their respective comps? And how would it be chosen? By the looks of it, a top 3 from each league?
If this is the case, I don't mind it, but from some of my experience (even with the stronger clubs) the B grade can be miles behind their successful A grade.
I know numbers aren't fantastic at several clubs this year, with us Gators scratching a bit, but we always do pre-Christmas.

[saintal]

Hi Lads, some good discussion.
Forgive my ignorance re this suggested Courier Cup League. Would that mean that those teams suggested in the example are the top tier of hills cricket, with their B grade teams playing as A grade teams in their respective comps? And how would it be chosen? By the looks of it, a top 3 from each league?

Yeah. From a TVCA point of view, Woodside and Lobethal's second sides would be quite competitive against the remaining A grade sides. However if one season they were particularly weak, I cant see why they would have to field a TVCA A Grade, they could opt for a lower grade.

[Footy Warrior]

Hi Lads, some good discussion.
Forgive my ignorance re this suggested Courier Cup League. Would that mean that those teams suggested in the example are the top tier of hills cricket, with their B grade teams playing as A grade teams in their respective comps? And how would it be chosen? By the looks of it, a top 3 from each league?
If this is the case, I don't mind it, but from some of my experience (even with the stronger clubs) the B grade can be miles behind their successful A grade.
I know numbers aren't fantastic at several clubs this year, with us Gators scratching a bit, but we always do pre-Christmas.

Unfortunately cricket isn't in the popularity stakes for sports played at the moment and every club and competition is feeling the pinch. The SCA is struggling, and now with Lobethal's biggest adversary of the past decade folding (Kersbrook), TVCA is in serious trouble. If the HCA, A&EH and TVCA merged it could have a Northern and Southern Hills League made up similar to the HFL.

[Dutchy]

The thing is the HCA is still quite healthy, so Im not sure what benefits any merger with other associations would bring the HCA, not saying it shouldnt or couldnt happen but think of it from the HCA point of view.

From seeing a couple of A grade games last year and even playing in one, the standard seems as strong as it was 10 years ago.

[saintal]

The thing is the HCA is still quite healthy, so Im not sure what benefits any merger with other associations would bring the HCA, not saying it shouldnt or couldnt happen but think of it from the HCA point of view.

From seeing a couple of A grade games last year and even playing in one, the standard seems as strong as it was 10 years ago.

Its a good point. From afar it looks like a healthy comp. If the HCA clubs were happy with how things were running, then any potential merger would be squashed pretty quickly I'd imagine.

I guess I'm coming from the view of what is best for clubs in TVCA, which may not necessarily be best for HCA.

[the wonder elephant]

The thing is the HCA is still quite healthy, so Im not sure what benefits any merger with other associations would bring the HCA, not saying it shouldnt or couldnt happen but think of it from the HCA point of view.

From seeing a couple of A grade games last year and even playing in one, the standard seems as strong as it was 10 years ago.

Dutchy just out of interest what makes you think the comp is so healthy ??

[Jugs]

The thing is the HCA is still quite healthy, so Im not sure what benefits any merger with other associations would bring the HCA, not saying it shouldnt or couldnt happen but think of it from the HCA point of view.

From seeing a couple of A grade games last year and even playing in one, the standard seems as strong as it was 10 years ago.

Dutchy just out of interest what makes you think the comp is so healthy ??

I agree. Why so healthy? Apart from Meadows no club has really improved in 10 years.

[FlyingHigh]

Saintal (and others)
Why do think the TVCA is struggling? Is it the administration, people working on Saturdays?
I just can't understand how Birdwood can't get an A grade team (what teams do they have this year?), Mt Pleasant/Springton can't field at least one team, ditto Kersbrook.
I've always felt the season starts too soon after footy season, but that is across the board, not just TVCA.
Cricket has had great growth through the mid-90's to mid 2000's, but has grass roots cricket been looked after? Again this is across the board, not just affecting TVCA.
Is the HCA the exception to the rule across country cricket comps by remaining relatively strong?
I felt the competition lost a bit of character when Mannum went towards Murray Bridge, as they always provided strong competition.