Junior cricket at YPCC
YPCC introduced our Junior Development Program in 2007/8 and we remain committed to supporting the growth and progress of our young players. We are focused on providing a fun, safe and inclusive environment for all our Juniors to play cricket. There is a team for everyone at YPCC and all abilities are welcome.
YPCC values
Our program is based on the following principles:
- Promote participation, fun and love of the game
- Provide opportunities and coaching for players of all abilities to achieve their best
- Maintain stable teams as much as possible moving through the age groups
- Provide a more competition-focused environment for more developed players
Our approach
Being part of a supportive team contributes to a child’s personal identity, resilience and sense of connection to a broader community. At YPCC we are proud to see our Juniors grow into fine young people as they move through our program.
We support our young players at each stage with great coaches. Our junior coaching coordinator Mukund Sivakumar has interned for the Geelong Football Club in a sports science capacity and held strength and conditioning roles with the Brunswick Zebras and East Doncaster FC. In India he has captained cricket teams, directed junior cricket programs, educated coaches, and designed conditioning programs for senior teams. Mukund leads a team of coaches who offer support for players in the areas of skill development, learning “game sense”, physical preparation – and, just as importantly, having fun.
Our junior cricket programs
Junior Blasters
Our Cricket Blasters program is for children aged between 5 and 8 who want to give cricket a go. The one hour sessions build fundamental skills, involve parents and are full of games and lots of fun. Children and families enjoy a BBQ with vegetarian and halal options afterwards.
Sessions are held at Ryder Oval at 9am on Saturday morning.
Junior competition
We field junior teams for children across all ages in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
Our home matches are played at Ryder Oval, Princes Park or Poplar Oval (depending on age group/council allocation).
Boys/Mixed Competition
U10’s Mixed – 5.15pm Friday
U12’s Mixed – 5pm Friday or 8.20am Saturday
U14’s Mixed – 5pm Friday or 8.20am Saturday
U16’s Mixed – 5pm Friday or 8.20am Saturday
Girls Only Competition
U12 – matches 5.30pm Wednesday. Training 6pm Monday.
U14 – matches 5.30pm Monday. Training 5pm Wednesday.
U16 – matches 5.30pm Wednesday. Training 6pm Monday.
Training schedule
Girls U12’s – 5:30pm-6:30pm Monday
Girls U14’s – 5:30pm-6:30pm Tuesday
Mixed U10’s – 5:30pm-6:45pm Monday
Mixed U12’s – 5:30pm-6:45pm Monday
Mixed U14’s – 5:30pm-6:45pm Monday
Mixed U16’s – 5:00pm-6.30pm Wednesday
Note: A BBQ will be run after training on MONDAY nights
Fees and registration
Membership fees for the 2024-25 season are as follows:
Junior Blasters – $99
Under 10’s Mixed – $236
Under 10 and 12 Girls – $67
Under 14 and 16 Girls – $118
Under 12, 14 and 16 Mixed – $281
All fees include Cricket Australia levy which includes insurance.
No junior player will be excluded from playing cricket at YPCC due to financial hardship. Scholarships and payment plans are available. YPCC accepts Victorian Get Active Kids vouchers.
How to get involved
We believe that being part of a supportive community provides many benefits for young people and their families. YPCC is a close knit club and we work to bring our wonderful community together as often as possible.
There’s a weekly BBQ after training every Monday which is hosted by parents and carers from a different junior team each week. It’s a great way to make new friends or catch up with old friends, with the added bonus that dinner for the kids is taken care of.
Being part of a cricket team helps children learn new physical skills and gets them active and fit. This has lifelong health and confidence benefits. Each team requires a match day coach and team manager to help with administration and coaching the kids to organise themselves on match day. Please contact the junior coordinator for any enquiries.
