Page 46 - West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club

JUNIORS’ REPORT
With the ongoing challenges of the COVID Pandemic, it was a testament to all involved in the organisation of the Junior Club that we were able to get season 2020/21 underway, albeit a little bit later than usual.
Despite the challenges, this season saw the Club grow once more. This enabled us to enter an amazing 40 teams into the Junior mixed competition and this again highlights the ‘Participation over Results’ ethos of our Club that so many players return and how many join as new players each season.
The constraints of COVID meant that we approached the start of the season in a slightly different way as Zoom meetings took over as the new normal in arranging the introduction of new coaches and managers, as well as ensuring that all sides complied with the recommended safety protocols. The flexibility of all involved made sure we had players out on the field and enjoying their cricket.
Our Master Blasters (U8s & U9s) fielded 11 teams, with U10s & U11s adding a further 10.
All teams adapted well to the new Cricket Australia programs and there has been some great feedback on how to refine things to make these formats even better. The Association Junior Committee has met with all the Clubs and are looking at adapting a number of improvements to provide an even better experience.
From all reports and the many photos of kids having fun on the field, we hope to see everyone back next season so you can continue to develop your skills and most importantly have heaps of fun enjoying your cricket.
Whilst we had our fair share of inclement weather during this La Nina Summer, plenty of cricket was still able to be played, with many of our teams in the Competition age groups (U12 and above) competing well and providing us with 10 teams which qualified for the Semi Finals and several just missing out, but performing strongly throughout the season. An amazing result and congratulations to all who went out and played their best each week to represent WPHCCC so well.
Unfortunately, the rain came on Semi Final Day and sadly put an end to the challenge for a Grand Final spot for many sides, however, 4 teams advanced to the Grand Final in their age groups but with Noah seemingly sailing by in what seemed like 40 days and 40 nights of rain, the Grand Final was also unable to be played due to the weather.
This scenario meant that our 4 teams who had played so well and so consistently during the season to take the mantle of Minor Premiers were then crowned as Premiers for the season.
A special congratulations to our Minor Premiers & Premiers for 2020/2021:
U12 Blue
U13 Green U15 Purple U16/17 Orange
Junior Club Champions 2020/2021
With these fantastic results, and the combined efforts from all teams to compete strongly within their age groups, WPHCCC was able to secure the Junior Club Championship for the first time since 2008/2009.
Being such a large Club, we often struggle to come into contention for the overall Junior Club Champions as this championship is based across an average of how all teams perform and usually a smaller Club is more easily able to achieve this.
Being crowned as Club Champions is a wonderful achievement and is a credit to all who contributed – players, parents, supporters & officials alike - to win such a coveted prize.
Individual Performance Awards
Throughout the season there were a number of individual performance highlights. Congratulations to these recipients:
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