2024-25 Premier Cricket Program

Premier Cricket is now in full swing across the country and the ACA is happy to once again be contributing to this important level of competition. Now in its tenth season, the ACA Premier Cricket Program provides a platform for ACA members to remain in Premier Cricket through playing, coaching and mentoring roles. The ACA is proud of the program, and the positive impact it has on the cricket community.

Keegan Oates of Lindisfarne Cricket Club in Tasmania has returned to the club he grew up playing at to support the club he loves while also working on his own coaching skills. "Our club has previously struggled to retain home grown players, either through them dropping out of cricket all together or going to different clubs. I would like to pave the way for the young players we have coming through and show them that there is a pathway from juniors to senior cricket and then into coaching if they desire. I want to instil a fun environment onto the young players, and I also want to further develop my own coaching skills. The ACA Premier Cricket Program allows me to do all of this." Keegan said.

To date this season, 72 ACA members across 47 Premier Cricket clubs have been supported by $204,750 worth of funding.

Southern District Cricket Club in South Australia shared the impact the Program has had on their Club, "The ACA Premier Cricket Program has been excellent for us, and we are very grateful for the continued support. The funding has allowed us to provide our playing group with highly experienced and qualified ex-first-class cricketers as coaches. Further, the coaches in receipt of the funding have provided a high level of advice and guidance to our other coaches in addition to the players which has been of great benefit to the club as a whole."

Erica Kershaw, Women's Captain/Coach at Carlton Cricket Club in Victoria is able to share her expertise with not only the players but also the other coaches to help the development of the club through the Premier Cricket Program. "As the women’s head coach I share my experience and cricket knowledge with not only the players but also my fellow coaches. I will provide development opportunities across the entire women's program as well as play in the first XI. I am grateful that the ACA Premier Cricket Program supports me."

Freemantle District Cricket Club in Western Australia is another of the many success stories, having been active participants in the Program since its inception. "In recent years, we have accessed the program for a Head Coach, this has been most beneficial for our club to have an ex-State Cricketer leading and developing our young cohort of players. This is not solely in skills development but in personal and leadership development."

The ACA is continuing to work with additional ACA members and their Clubs to further extend the reach of the Premier Cricket Program in season 2024-25. If you need assistance with your application or would like to know more about the Premier Cricket Program, please email Dawn Holden via premiercricket@auscricket.com.au.