The new season brings change for junior cricket in Leeton with the amalgamation of the Leeton Junior Cricket Association into the Leeton District Cricket Association (LDCA).

Inaugural junior match secretary David Tiffin said the decision was necessary to keep cricket going in Leeton.

“The idea was to eliminate the double up of board positions and allow more time for parents to be on the ground with kids,” he said.

The senior clubs will now take on more of a role in nurturing young talent with the alignment of the new D grade competition to club sides.

“Our under 13s will now play under the banner of an LDCA club and they will have the responsibility of training and coaching these kids, ultimately investing in their future,” Tiffin said.

The restructure has seen the LDCA fall into line with Cricket Australia’s junior formats guidelines with modified levels designed to increase enjoyment, improve skills and make it inclusive for all abilities.

The LDCA C grade competition has been reduced to an under 16s competition, the new D grade is for under 13s, while the popular Milo T20 Blast and Milo In2Cricket programs will still be running on Friday evenings for those under the age of 10.

“The age changes represent the ever-changing shift in cricket and gives kids the best competition we can provide,” Tiffin said.

“We have identified a lot of those older kids are making the step into senior cricket earlier.”

With the season to start in late October now is the time to register to play.

Registrations are completed online by heading to Playcricket.com.au and search for Leeton Junior Cricket Club.

There you will be able to find the age division that suits your child and get them involved for the upcoming season.

“Cricket is an amazing sport for teaching children discipline, concentration and teamwork,” Tiffin said.

“It’s a lot slower than footy so requires more thought processes while they are playing.”

As always, parent help is required, but the merger allows parents and volunteers to focus on at-ground roles.

“We need to get some assistance mainly on our Friday evenings to ensure that the skills are being taught correctly and that the kids get the individual attention in their early years of cricket,” Tiffin said.

Those who want to be involved should contact Tiffin on 0412 918 173 or via email at d_t_@live.com.au.