HOME CLUBS
PORTMAN UNDER 15
INTER CLUB COMPETITION
- ENTRY NUMBERS
BY COUNTY SINCE 1999
| COUNTY |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
| SUSSEX |
max 25 |
18 |
21 |
20 |
24 |
18 |
16 |
23 |
| DORSET |
- |
22 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
22 |
17 |
16 |
| SURREY |
- |
80 |
80 |
75 |
72 |
71 |
71 |
68 |
| YORKSHIRE |
- |
170 |
165 |
165 |
165 |
167 |
170 |
177 |
- The entry figures for Sussex has hardly changed over the
period of 7 years studied by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
- The Under 15 age group activity in the Sussex cricket scene
is not given a great deal of prominence.
- Traditionally the Under 15 age group was the most important
age group when the Schools' Association had responsibility for
youth cricket as this was the school leaving year and those players
who stayed on to the age of 16 were involved in examinations.
- Indeed the Sussex Schools Cricket Association continue to
provide inter School cricket at the age of 10/11/12/13/14/15
but no activity at 16 upwards.
- A similar National review of Under 11 hardball inter school
cricket shows Sussex well ahead of many Counties and dwarfing
Yorkshire's effort.
- Indeed a Sussex School has often reached the National Finals
of ESCA based tournaments with Downview School from West Sussex
winning one in 2005.
- At the Regional level there are Festivals held at Under 13/14
and 15.
- The Bunbury Festival -the most important cricketing activity
for young cricketers of compulsory school age -takes place at
Under 15.
- Many Sussex Clubs, whilst registering under 15 players ,do
not compete at this age group.
- A review of 5 of the 6 bodies providing League inter club
cricket in Sussex shows that only the Brighton League offers
an Under 15 competition with 9 Clubs competing.
- The unique Sussex Junior Cricket Festival - inter Club weeks
in the School holidays- does not provide an under 15 week although
an Under 14 and an Under 16 week is provided.
- The ECB figures show an increase in the number of Clubs entering
the Portman from 1,478 in 1999 to 1,624 in 2005.
- Such an increase is to be recognised but it does not confirm
that there is an upsurge in cricket at this age group.
- Indeed much of the increase may be accounted for in 4 Counties-
- Hampshire + 65/Essex + 34/Lancs + 21 and Northants+ 17 have
increased their entries over the period.
- 4 Counties providing 137 entries of the 146 increase.
- Several Counties, including Sussex ,have made no increase
with 15 Counties showing a decline.
- A test of quality rather than quantity shows that the two
Clubs providing the Club finalists for 2005 - Dorset and Sussex
-have a small entry of Clubs.
- A third Club came from Norfolk which since 1999 has had a
lower entry than either Dorset or Sussex.
- Indeed we feel in Sussex that our Club success in the competition
stands up well since 1999.
- Any Sussex Club which has progressed past the County Final
stage has never been able to field its strongest side due to
the school holiday period.
- The ECB spreadsheet is a good effort and makes for interesting
reading but that is probably all it does.
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