Wangaratta & District Cricket Association

FROM THE PRESIDENTThe Wangaratta and Distrcit Cricket Association has for many years enjoyed a reputation for strong administration, developing expanding domestic competitions and being able to select competitive teams for representative cricket matches.

The area from which affiliated Clubs are drawn now cover a large part of the North East of Victoria and the challenge for the Association is to continue to improve in all aspects for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The Association has developed a Strategic Plan to provide a focus for planning and actions required in the period 2009-2018 and will need the support of the cricket community to help us achieve our goals.

The huge contribution of our affiliates, club administrators and volunteers is acknowledged and is vital to the future of cricket in this area. The dedicated efforts by the many volunteers to the game of cricket at grassroots level ensures that the sport continues to be our favourite summer sport.

The tremendous support of local government in each of the five municipalities covering the area of the Association is important in the provision of the excellent playing facilities which we enjoy and we need to work with them as we maintain and expand these facilities.

The Association has identified a number of challenges which need to be faced in the next ten years as we look to implement the strategic goals which have been set. All of this is for the purpose of developing better players, coaches, umpires, administrators, facilities and participation.

The Association looks forward to working with our participants and supporters to achieve our goals.

Graham F KerrPresidentNovember 2008

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BY 2018WE WILLHAVEACHIEVED

• Apart-timecricketadministrator;

• RepresentationatMelbourneCountryWeekatProvincialLevel;

• Reservesofcapable,qualifiedumpires;

• Associationsponsorshipsvaluedat$50,000;

• AnnualstagingofPremiercricketevents;

• Robustjuniorcompetitionsatallagelevels;

• Agirlscompetition;

• AllclubswillhaveappointedaLevel1AccreditedCoach;

• Volunteersupportprograms;

• Growthinparticipation.

VisionWangaratta and District Cricket Association: North East Victoria’s Premier Summer Sporting Competition

Our PurposeTo support and partner with our stakeholders to ensure our competition is:

• Vibrant;• Sustainable;• Recognised;and• Relevant.

We Value• Sportsmanshipandfairplay;• Respectforourteammates, ouroppositionandourselves;• Acceptanceofdecisions bythoseinauthority;• Thetraditionsofcricket.

Our Stakeholders• Clubs;• Players;• LocalGovernment;and• Community.

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The Wangaratta and

District Cricket Association

(WDCA) played its first

official game on the 2nd of

November 1895, although

the earliest recorded game

was between Beechworth

and Albury in 1860.

This long and proud

history has had a

significant impact on

the social fabric of the

communities in which we

live. In order to sustain

the relevance of grass

roots cricket in the busy

modern world, it is critical

that we take the time to

identify the needs of our

key stakeholders and our

role as an Association

in supporting them.

Currently the Association

has fourteen clubs playing

at 34 venues across five

different Shires. In order

to sustain this substantial

geographic footprint

significant challenges

need to be addressed and

a robust vision for the

future formulated.

This Plan captures the

vision, objectives and

key strategies for the

WDCA to 2018. The key

strategies contained within

this document have been

developed in consultation

with the WDCA’s many

stakeholders.

This Plan and visioning

statement looks to align

grass roots initiatives

with the Strategic Plans

of both Cricket Australia

and Cricket Victoria. In

working with the strategic

imperatives of these

organisations it is hoped

the WDCA’s key strategic

initiatives, actions and

goals align to give our

players every opportunity

to take their cricket to the

highest level, ensure our

clubs and our Association

remain sustainable and

maintain the relevance

of cricket within the

communities in which we

live.

Challenges identifiedfacing the WDCA include:

• Maintainingthe sustainability of our clubs;

• Attractingumpires;

• Attractingvolunteers;

• Retainingcricketersbetweeneighteen and thirty years of age;

• Administrativesuccession atbothclubandAssociationlevels;

• JuniorDevelopment;

• Managingthequalityofourfacilities;

• Maintainingturfwickets;

• Buildingsponsorship;

• Suitabletrainingfacilities;and• Engagingour communities.

INTRODUCTION

TheAssociationplaysasignificantroleinsupportingcricketin

NorthEastVictoria.Inaddressingboththeshorttermoperationalissues

andlongtermstrategicimperatives,itishopedtheWDCAwillbeavibrant

sustainableAssociationprovidingfuturegenerationsofcricketersand

thecommunitiesinwhichtheylivetheopportunitytoparticipatein,

contributetoandcelebratecricketinNorthEastVictoria.

Page 3

1. Assist participants to learn, develop and excel;2. Celebrate and support volunteerism;3. Build upon our facilities and capital infrastructure;4. Showcase our competition.

OURSTRATEGIC GOALS

Page 4

ASSIST PARTICIPANTSTO LEARN,DEVELOP AND EXCELThe ability to continually develop and improve is intrinsically linked to the ongoing enjoyment of the game and continued participation.

Players, umpires and coaches at all levels need to be able to identify a clear pathway which will enable them to reach the highest standard of competition possible. In conjunction with Cricket Victoria, key developmental focuses centre around female participation, umpire participation, coaching accreditation and representative tiers.

PERFORMANCETARGETS TO 2018• LevelTwoAccreditedCoachonWDCA

executive;

• Accreditedplayerandumpiredevelopmentcoursesconductedannually;

• Agirlscompetition;

• Everyclubhasafullyaccredited coach

• Aratioof1.2umpiresavailable per game scheduled

MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIESBuildcoachingstocks

• Supportfundingandhostingcoachingaccreditationprograms;

• Encouragementofclubsthroughongoingcommunicationandultimatelysanctions

• AssociationlevelTwoAccreditedCoachingMentor;

Increaseumpirenumbersandcapability

• Increaseaccreditationcourses;

• Engageplayerstointeractwithumpiresappropriately;

• Increasepaymentforaccreditationqualifications;

• Developsignificantumpireawards;

• Developjuniorumpireprogramtoincreaselikelihoodofrepresentativehonours.

Developafemalecompetition:

• EncouragegirlstoparticipateinIn2Cricket(Milocricket);

• Encouragegirlstoparticipateinloweragejuniorcompetitions;

• Assistteachersinteachingcricketinprimaryschoolprograms;

• EnticeAustralian/Victorianwomen’scricketmatchtoWangaratta.

PlayerDevelopment

• Activelysourceandpromoterecognisedplayerperformancedevelopmentprogramsandconductannually;

• Havesportsmen’snightstoshowcasestarsandinspireyoungplayers

STRATEGIC GOAL 1

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CELEBRATE & SUPPORT VOLUNTEERISMTheabilitytoeffectivelyoperateanyorganisationutilisingvolunteerlabourcanbeextremelychallenging.Invariablykeypeoplewithintheseorganisationseitherburnoutorsimplyrunoutofenergy.Thekeytosuccessfullyoperatingcommunitysportinggroupsandassociationsisastrongcommittee,ablyledwithindividualportfoliosandareasofresponsibility.

Equallyasimportantistherecognitionandcelebrationoftheworkourvolunteerforcedoes.Everyclubhastheirheroeswhofaithfullypreparethepitch,stockthedrinksfridgeandtidytherooms.Itiscriticalthatwerecognisetheircontributionandcapturetheirknowledgeifwearetoundertakeeffectivesuccessionandultimatelyachievegrassrootssustainability.

PERFORMANCETARGETS TO 2018• Haveapaidpart-timepositiontosupport

our clubs;

• Conductcorporategovernancetrainingandinduct new club and Association executive members;

• DevelopaClubSuccessionStrategyProgram

• Clubshavecapturedtheintellectualknowledge to operate sustainability not reliant on the knowledge of individuals;

MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIESAdministrativeOfficerparttime

• Implementasustainablefundingmodelforthisposition;

• Developclubminimumcomplianceandgovernancestandards;

• Identifygrantstoassistinbuildingclubandvolunteercapacity;

• Developaclubgovernanceaudittoassistclubsrecognizecapabilitygapsandstrategiestoaddressthem.

• PublishHowtoGuides,OperationsManualsandCalendarofEventstoassistclubvolunteersandminimisetheimpactontheirtime.

Associationtoconductinductionforclubboardmembersannually

ClubDevelopmentProgram

• InassociationwithCricketVictoria,encourageclubstoworkthroughtheClubDevelopmentProgram to share the workload and ensure compliance.

AssociationExecutive

• DocumentaBoardskillprofileandtargetpeopletofillcapabilitygaps.

• EncouragetheparticipationofwomenonClubandAssociationBoards

• DemystifyExecutivebydefiningtherolesandsharingtheworkload.

CelebrateOurVolunteers

• ConductannualAssociationVolunteerAwards

• Implementathemedroundtocelebratetheworkofvolunteers.

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MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIESHardWickets

• Developsufficienthardwicketstoadequatelyaccommodatejuniorandseniorcricketcompetitions

• Putinplacesustainablemaintenanceprogramswhichtaketheresponsibilityofthemaintenanceofgroundsawayfromclubs;

• Encourageclubstomeetinstrategiclocationstoreducetheburdenofdistanceparticularlyforparentsandcoachesatjuniorlevels.

TurfWickets

• SupportallAGradeandAReserveclubstocultivateturfwickets;

• Conductawicketaudittoidentifypotentialbarrierstoachievingaturfwicket;

• Holdseminarsinturfwickethorticulture,preparationandmaintenance;

• Undertakeannualassessmentstomanagequalityandconsistencyacrosstheorganisation.

IndoorTrainingFacilities

• DevelopanIndoorTrainingFacilityMasterPlan;

• Identifyfundingopportunitiestodevelopthefacility;

• Engagecommunityandkeyinfluencersupport.

NightCricket(20Twenty)

• WorkinwithRCoWSportingPrecinctMasterPlantolightagroundtoholdtwilightmatches;

WaterResources

• EachclubtodocumentandsubmitatemplateWaterResourceandSustainabilityPlanannually.

BUILD UPON OUR FACILITIES AND CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURETheWDCArecognisesthatinordertogiveparticipantsthebestopportunitytodevelopitiscriticalthattheAssociationhaveadequatefacilitiesandinfrastructure.

Inordertomaintainjuniorcricketparticipationitiscriticalthatadequatehardwicketgroundsaresourcedandsecuredoverthelongterm.Groundswithappropriatescaleboundariessetrealisticexpectationsandeventhebattlebetweenbatandball.TheAssociationrecognisesthatinordertoplaycricketatahigherlevel,playersneedexposuretoturfwickets.Inprovidingturfwicketsitiscriticalthattheybeauditedtoensureafaircontestbetweenbatandballandthesafetyoftheplayers.

TheAssociationhasscheduledtwosignificantcapitalimprovementsintotheplan.Thesebeingaqualityindoortrainingfacilityandadequatelightingtohostanightgamewithaviewtoaccommodatingtheexpandingpopularityof20Twentycricket.

PERFORMANCETARGETS TO 2018• Sevenhardwicketfacilitiesinandaround

Wangaratta;

• Outsourcedandsustainablegroundmaintenance program;

• AGradeandAReserveteamswithhighquality turf wickets

• Apurposebuilt,highqualityindoortraining facility;

• Theabilitytohostnightmatches;

• Sustainableinfrastructurethroughoutthecompetition

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SHOWCASE OURCOMPETITIONIn order to gain the community recognition and support which is critical in achieving our Association vision we must showcase our game. By presenting cricket at the highest level possible both in terms of representative cricket and Premier cricket, we are promoting the game, its people and its importance to key stakeholders across our region.

If Local Governments, media and communities are to support our competition and in doing so enable cricket to be acclaimed the regions premier summer sport, it is critical that they recognise the broad community appeal and interest cricket holds. People will embrace sport played and displayed at the highest level and it is essential that we as an Association pursue this as a key strategic imperative.

PERFORMANCETARGETS TO 2018• Playerswillvieforrepresentativecricket

honours;

• PlayersarecompensatedfortheirparticipationatRepresentativeCricketCompetitions;

• ARepresentativeteamatMelbourneCountryWeekatprovinciallevel;

• AfirstclassmatchisshowcasedandeventmanagedinWangarattaannually;

• Awomen’scricketcarnivalishosted;

• WangarattarecognisedbyCricketVictoriaasapremiercountrycrickethub.

• More18-30yearoldparticipantsplayingandleading the competition

MAIN SUPPORTING STRATEGIESRepresentativeCricket

• Communicatetheprestigeandhistoricalperspectiveofplayingrepresentativecricket;

• Payaplayersallowance;

• Supportplayersinnegotiationswithemployers;

• Buildmediapresenceandinterestinrepresentativecricket.

PremierCricket

• HostadistrictcricketeventannuallybymaintainingstrongtieswithanindividualDistrictCricketClub;

• EnsurealocalrepresentativeatVCCLleveltokeeptheWDCA,itspeopleandfacilitiesatfrontofmindandidentifyopportunities.

• DevelopclosertieswithWomen’sCricketAssociations;

• DevelopmarketingmaterialsinconjunctionwithlocalcouncilstoshowcaseWDCAfacilities;

StrategicPartners

• IdentifykeyinfluencersinLocalGovernment,mediaandthebroadercricketingcommunityandensuretheserelationshipsarefosteredandmaintained;

• AnonaffiliatedWDCAExecutivemembertoattendateveryClubtoincreasecommunicationchannels;

• Invitekeyinfluencerstofunctionstobuildawareness,understandingandempathyforchallengesfacedbytheWDCA;

• Workwithsportingbodiescloselytoaccommodate18–30yearoldageparticipantsmoreeffectively

Marketing

• DocumentanannualMarketingPlantomaximizetheimpactofcommunicationstrategies,channelsandscarceresources.

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(03)57217545www.totalmarketingsolutions.com.au

21CusackStWangaratta(03)57223810

www.sedconsulting.com.au

Wangaratta&DistrictCricketAssociationInc.ClemFisherPavillion,NormMinnsOval,WangarattaShowgrounds.

POBox702,Wangaratta,Victoria,3677Phone–0428505094

wangaratta@asn.cricketvictoria.com.auhttp://wangaratta.cricketvictoria.com.au

(AffiliatedwiththeVictorianCountryCricketLeagueandNERegion6)