JUNIOR BOYS PATHWAY
Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club Junior Pathway Explained
Key Terms:
EDJCA – Eastern Districts Junior Cricket Association. Association that looks after U9-U12s junior cricket and the Ron Eager Cup. Made up of clubs Wynnum, Carina, Bulimba, Holland Park and Mansfield.
BEARS – Bayside East and Redlands. This the representative region that we are part and who our players represent if they play rep cricket. They also oversee the divisional cricket competition for U13-U18s. Made up of clubs Wynnum, Carina, Bulimba, Holland Park, Mansfield, Muddies, Wellington Point, Redland Sharks, and Cleveland.
The Blasters Program is designed for children aged 5–10 who are new to cricket or not yet ready for U9s, focusing on basic skills like batting, bowling, throwing, and catching through small-sided games using soft equipment.
Players can progress into the Super Sixers Competition, which is for ages 7–10 and follows a similar format with an initial skills phase before transitioning into gameplay, preparing players for U9s teams. Games are six a side with everyone getting equal opportunities to bat, bowl and field, they use plastic balls and bats so no protective equipment is required.
U9s Junior Cricket is the first formal stage (note from U9s onwards, matches are played on Saturdays with a weekly team training on a weekday afternoon), featuring small-sided games where all players bat and bowl equally, with 20-over matches and the introduction of a slightly harder 110g ball and protective gear. Teams are 8 a side but can have up to ten players.
U10s builds on this with 25-over matches and removes the batting tee, wides and no balls are not re-bowled and its six balls per over to ensure a fast paced game, all players bat and bowl equal amounts.
U11s introduces a heavier ball, longer pitch, and traditional dismissal rules where out is out, with structured batting retirements and bowling spells. These matches are either 25 overs per side one day matches, or 50 overs per day (and per innings) two matches played in quarter of 25 over matches. Teams are eleven a side and go for 3.5 hours per day, this remains the same for all junior cricket formats U11s and above. All U11 players may participate in the Ron Eager Cup, a week-long carnival designed to introduce carnival style cricket in a safe inclusive and rotating squad format.
U12s junior cricket then moves to a full-length pitch and introduces bowling from both ends as well as the lbw rule.
From U13s onward, players enter BEARS Divisional Cricket, where teams are graded by both age and ability to ensure competitive matches across multiple divisions. These matches are either 25 overs per side one day matches, or 50 overs per day two day matches with a maximum of 50 overs per innings.
The BEARS Representative teams (U11–U16), with QJC “A” teams and Development teams competing in regional carnivals to provide broader representative opportunities.
The BMC 50 Over Competition for U15–U17 players, offers longer-format matches and exposure to premier venues, and is an important competition in building that link between junior and senior cricket.
The U16 State Challenge is where top players from metro and regional areas compete at a higher level. Selected from the U16s QJC Carnival.
The Lords Taverners U17 Competition is a key premier pathway, requiring selection through trials or strong performances, and often leading into Queensland U17 selection, which is chosen from training squads, Taverners player and the U16 State Challenge.
From around U15 level (skill permitting), players are encouraged to participate in Senior Club Cricket to further develop against older competition, before potentially progressing into Brisbane Grade Cricket, the premier senior competition pathway that can lead to professional opportunities such as Queensland and Australian representation.
School cricket operates as a separate pathway with its own trials and teams, though it may consider club performances, while winter cricket provides additional playing opportunities to accelerate development and isn’t formally part of the pathway
For enquiries, contact the Junior Development Coordinator, Millan Agarwal, juniordevelopment@wmdcc.cricket
