The junior season will kick off this weekend and the Highlands District Cricket Association HDCA has adopted Cricket Australia’s junior pathway structure for the new season.

Children will now be introduced to the sport through the Junior and Master Blaster programs.

Young cricketers then move through Stages 1, 2 and 3. Cricket NSW Illawarra game development manager Paul Brockley said the game was now modified with shorter pitches and boundaries which varied for each level to give players “better skills, enjoyment and success”.

Clubs across the Highlands are running the Junior Blasters program and the Masters Blasters is held on a Thursday night.

“The formats are shorter and faster and there’s more emphasis on skill development of each player so it’s a better experience for all boys and girls to play,” Brockley said.

Brockley, along with HDCA chairman Simon Taufel held an information session at Bradman Oval on Wednesday night to help volunteers involved with junior cricket learn more about scoring, the rules and umpiring.

“Everyone is really really excited about the changes,” he said. Brockley said Cricket Australia had also provided equipment to local clubs.

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A former international umpire, Taufel spoke to those present at the information session about the role of a junior coach and umpire.

Some of his key messages included that these roles were to manage the game for the children and to guide their development to help them enjoy the game.

At a junior level, he said it was important that participation and enjoyment were valued.

He also provided some umpiring tips on positioning, jurisdiction and teamwork.

HDCA junior cricket director Byron Kaufline said the association had 26 junior teams this season across three grades as well as 10 Junior and Master Blaster teams.

Visit https://community.cricket.com.au/australian-cricket-pathway for more information on the pathways program.

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