Ryde Hunters Hill Cricket Club or ‘The Pirates’.

The club continues the proud tradition of cricket in Hunters Hill and Ryde since 1870 and the commitment by a local cricket club to improve facilities in the local district for families.

Blast (Skills Development) – Roughly Ages 4-7

Generally made up of 10 sessions focused on basic skills and development for players who are new to the game of cricket. Usually starts in November on Saturday Mornings and runs either side of Xmas, with no sessions during school holidays.

Blast Cricket (Small Modified Format Games) – Roughly ages 7-9

U8/9 age group played with a softer ball over a 16m pitch in a fun format. Everyone bowls and bats the same amount. Six players are on the field at a time. Option for “At One venue only” or “Rotating Venues”

Stage 1 Cricket – Roughly ages 9-11

U10/11 age groups played with a 142g harder ball (U10 plays with a Commander Ball). T20 format over a 16m pitch. Seven players are on the field at a time.

Stage 2 Cricket – Roughly ages 11-13

U12/13 age groups played with a 142g harder ball. T30 format over an 18m pitch. Nine players are on the field at a time.

Stage 3 Cricket – Age guide 13+

U14 and Upwards. Played with 156g ball over a full-length 20m pitch. Eleven players are on the field at a time. The format depends on the Cricket Association.

Age cut off in cricket is 31st August

As an example:

• If your child turns 7yrs old before the 31st of August, they will be in the U8’s
• If your child turns 8yrs old before the 31st of August, they will be in the U9’s and so on and so forth

Yes, Junior Cricket is now categorised into 3 Stages:

• Stage 1 – U10 & U11
• Stage 2 – U12 & U13
• Stage 3 – U13 Upwards

It is recommended for players to play within their age groups.

The Stages concept allows for an older child playing cricket for the first time to be placed in a younger age group.

Under most circumstances, it is no problem. We simply ask that you note this during the registration process, where a specific field will be provided for you to complete this information.

Note: Whilst we do our best to accommodate all requests, sometimes it may be difficult to achieve if a team is fully subscribed. In that instance, the new player is offered a spot in another team and we do our best to place them in a team where they have other friends.

The cricket season usually runs from mid-September, when training starts. Games usually commence in early October. Generally, we break over Christmas and the season resumes again after Australia Day and goes through to the middle to end of March. Finals for U10 and up are played up to late March.

The PIRATES offer online registration only

To register, go to Rego & Uniforms Menu tab on our website and select ‘Register’

Blast Cricket

Registration includes clothing and giveaways.

U8 & U9 Junior Cricket

Registration includes the choice of a Blue Training shirt or a White Playing shirt and other Pirates merchandise.

U10 through to U15 Junior Cricket

Registration includes the choice of a Blue Training shirt or a White Playing shirt and other Pirates merchandise.

Clothing

Junior Blaster Skills (4 – 7 years)

Junior blasters kit provided at the time of registration

Master Blasters, U8’s and U9’s

TOP: The RHH White playing shirt (short or long sleeve) is a requirement for all players. This is included as an option with your registration fee or can be purchased separately.

BOTTOM: Shorts or long cricket whites are acceptable.

U10’s and above

TOP: The RHH White playing shirt (short or long sleeve) is a requirement for all players. This is included as an option with your registration fee or can be purchased separately.

BOTTOM: Long cricket whites only are to be worn.

Pirates Merchandise

The club offers high-quality, reasonably priced Pirates merchandise including floppy hats, shorts and trousers, suitable for all ages.

To purchase PIRATES clothing go to the Rego & Uniforms Menu tab on our website and select ‘Clothing Orders’

Gear

Junior Blaster Skills (4 – 7 years)

All equipment is provided

Master Blasters, U8’s and U9’s

Players will need their own bat, a helmet is optional in these age groups.

U10’s and above

Players will need their own bat, batting gloves, batting pads and a helmet, which is compulsory in these age groups.

Most games are played locally, around the Hunters Hill, Ryde and Gladesville areas, with occasional games in the inner west and north shore.

Once player registrations are complete, teams are formed and volunteer Coaches and Managers are assigned.

Teams are expected to source a Coach from within their parent group. If this is not possible, parents may need to find a Coach from another source, such as a local high school or university student, or a cricketer from the local area. The Club may sometimes be able to help connect a team with a former Pirates player aged 15–18 who is willing to coach juniors, with any coaching fee paid by the parents directly to the Coach.

Training is generally held for just over an hour on a weekday afternoon, on a day that suits the volunteer Coach.

See “When and where is training held?” for more information about training times and ground allocation.

Training is held on a day of the week when the volunteer coach is available. Teams then submit their preferred training time and ground in Gladesville, Putney, Ryde or Boronia Park. The Club General Manager coordinates the training schedule and allocates times and grounds based on team preferences and availability.

Yes, if possible, Ryde Hunters Hill Cricket Club greatly appreciates the enthusiastic support of parents as coaches & managers, along with volunteering on the committee and for any events the Club may run.

The Club is aware that private schools insist the kids play for school first & foremost, so we are committed to minimizing the impact as this is not an issue just for The Pirates but for all Cricket Clubs.

We understand that the children can play for a club if it doesn’t interfere with their school cricket. The best advice we can offer is to try and form a team where you know you will get more than 75% of the kids together when school starts after Xmas.