While the thermometer might suggest otherwise, the Wilson Homes Cricket Tasmania Premier League season is a little over a week away.
Club captains, umpire and sponsor representatives joined Cricket Tasmania staff today for the annual launch of the CTPL.
Premier Cricket Manager Sean Stevenson says the preseason is a busy time for all involved in cricket.
“The season launch is of course an opportunity to thank our sponsors, our major sponsor Wilson Homes along with Kookaburra, Lion and the Road Safety Advisory Council,” Stevenson said.
“I also take every chance I get to acknowledge our club volunteers, who always work so hard, but particularly in the lead up to the season.
“Curators, who have been battling all the elements in recent weeks, also deserve a special mention, as do our umpire coaches.”
Stevenson urged cricket followers to head to their local ground when the 1st Grade Men’s and Women’s competitions get underway next weekend (October 4-5).
“We are very fortunate in Premier cricket that our best club players regularly mix it with national and even international stars,” he said.
“We are probably unique in that regard.
“It certainly makes for a high standard of competition and worthy viewing.
“A couple of hours out and about at a cricket ground is great family time.”
Stevenson said he expected the 1st Grade competitions to be tightly contested once again.
“While University won all three grand finals convincingly in the Men’s Competition last season, they didn’t dominate any of the formats in the regular season,” he said.
“We’ve had tight ladders for the last couple of years, with finals qualification coming right down to the final round.
“While in Women’s 1st Grade last season the Greater Northern Raiders were the most consistent team across the season, but New Town took out the T20 Competition and North Hobart were too strong in the Kookaburra Cup Final.
“I don’t see the tightly contested nature of the competitions changing, which is what we want.”
One of the biggest developments in the CTPL in the off-season has been the inclusion of a team from Kingborough in Women’s 1st Grade.
“That decision has created a lot of excitement in Kinborough and its surrounding districts, and we are already witnessing significant energy and growth in Kingborough’s female program which is really pleasing,” Stevenson said.
“Another change in CTPL women’s cricket has been moving Women’s 2nd Grade from a Sunday evening to a Saturday afternoon, which has been well received by stakeholders.”
“Cricket Tasmania has also introduced a new three-tiered model for Under 16s Boys cricket, Friday night T20 Leagues, a 40-over Sunday competition and a new regional competition in the school holidays – the Hurricanes Challenge.
“We know that young people play cricket for different reason.
“Some players need more time to develop their skills or prefer shorter formats and midweek options.
“Equally others can’t get enough cricket and want to play at the highest level they can.
“I am sure being selected in the Hurricanes Cup, which will feature three teams from the South and the Greater Northern Raiders, will be a goal of many this season.”
The season promises to be another thrilling one, with plenty of household names returning and a variety of fresh faces set to don new colours ahead of next weekend’s opening matches.