Welcome to the Official Web Site of the Welsh Cricket Association

After serving as Secretary of WCA for fourteen years, it was a great honour to be elected Chairman of the Association at the 2009 AGM especially as this was the 40th Anniversary of WCA. Historically it is interesting to note that WCA was formed in 1969 under the Chairmanship of Wilfred Wooler, with Bill Edwards as Chairman of the Cricket Committee, Leslie Morgan, Briton Ferry as Secretary. At the time Haynes Formstone (Denbighshire C.C.) was a member of the Executive Committee. It was fitting that Haynes was present at the 40th AGM of WCA, a life member of WCA for his dedicated services to Welsh Cricket, in particular for 50 years as Secretary of Denbighshire CCC and as a long serving member of the WCA Council.
The 2009 season had hardly commenced when we learnt of the sad and untimely passing of Geoff Holmes, the Director of Cricket Development CBW. During the short period of time that Geoff served as the DCD/CBW he did an enormous amount of work for cricket in Wales. His warm personality endeared him to everyone connected with the game from juniors at grass roots level upwards.
On behalf of WCA I would like to take this opportunity to wish Geoff's successor, Peter Hybart, our very best wishes and the total support of WCA on his appointment as Director of Cricket CBW.
Staying on a sombre note, the year ended with the passing of Bill Edwards OBE. Bill was 87 years of age when he died, but what an innings! Undoubtedly, he was Mr Cricket in Wales. To catalogue Bill's services to Welsh Cricket is impossible in this short space. We are very grateful to Ossie Wheatly , who has kindly written an obituary to Bill for the 2010 WCA Yearbook. This sets out Bill's involvement of over 60 years dedicated service to Welsh Cricket in so many capacities, in particular his Chairmanship of WCA from 1983-1996.
Since its inception in 1969, WCA has witnessed a vast amount of changes to cricket generally. Not only to the technical side of the game, but constant changes to the laws of the game, and latterly the increase in ECB and Government legislation that Clubs, Umpires, Coaches and players have to comply with and to adhere to. However and despite all these changes, somehow cricket seems to flourish at grass roots level and, in many cases, interacting with local schools. As a result, our thanks must go out to all the volunteers who strive so hard and give up their time so freely for the improvement of ground facilities, fostering and encouraging junior cricket, thus providing a pathway for juniors from clubs to local leagues and on to regional teams under the auspices of the CBW. We are truly indebted to these volunteers who are the backbone of Club Cricket in Wales.

Child Protection

 Since the launch in October 2003 under the Chairmanship of Dr Richard Kemp, over 2,000 CRB checks have been undertaken throughout Wales. Added to this, Child Welfare Officers have been appointed at all our affiliated clubs and "Safeguarding Children" courses and "Time to Listen" courses have been organised in all the regions in Wales. Testimony for all this hard work is down to the dedication and thoroughness and tremendous workload undertaken by Brian Crockett, the Child Welfare Officer for WCA/CBW. Both organisations owe Brian a great debt of gratitude in ensuring that Welsh Cricket are in full compliance with legislation in this field. Moreover, we can be justly proud that we are one of the leading sports organisations in Wales in complying with government legislation in this area.

National Team

Unfortunately with the demise of the ECB Triple Crown Tournament, at present our Club cricketers have very little opportunity of playing for Wales at either international or representative level. The only representative fixture that Wales has at present is the annual encounter v MCC. The 2009 match was played at High Wycombe against a very strong MCC team. Wales put up a very creditable performance. The 2010 fixture is scheduled to be played at Lords on Monday 17^th May 2010, a one day match of 50 overs. We look forward to a return to HQ for this prestigious fixture. 

WACD 

It is encouraging to note that after much internal unrest, WACD has re-grouped under the Chairmanship of Paul Carmichael and Kevin Griffiths, Secretary. A new Committee has been elected with WACD re-affiliating to WCA and entering a team in the BACD County Championship for 2010. 

Wales 50’s/60’s 

The Wales over 50’s go from strength to strength. Another successful season,  culminating in a tour to Barbados in November 2009. During the season, history was made with Wales over 60’s playing two international matches against England over 60’s, with honours even. For the coming season a team of over 60’s will be entered in the newly formed County Championship for the over 60’s. 

Welsh Cup 2009 

Our sincere thanks go to Group Gwalia for their continued and much appreciated sponsorship of the Welsh Cup. Our Thanks also to Glamorgan CCC for allowing the use of the wonderful SWALEC Stadium to stage the Cup Final. The 2009 final was an excellent match with Cardiff defeating Swansea. 

Indoor Cricket 

After a lapse of a number of years, Wales has entered the ECB National Indoor Six-a-Side Competition. We are grateful to Trevor Jones for organising fixtures and arranging the Area Finals and to Mr and Mrs David Williams for their assistance with catering arrangements. 

South Wales Premier League 

After more than ten years of negotiations between East and West, finally the South Wales Premier League is up and running and due to commence in May 2010. Initially the new league will comprise the top five clubs from the former South Wales Cricket Leagues in 2009.
Undoubtedly the formation of the new Premier League has caused some fragmentation to the re-structured feeder leagues. However, if the envisaged competitiveness between the clubs in this league benefits the pathway for future Glamorgan players, the League will have well served its anticipated purpose. 

Finally I would like to thank and pay tribute to fellow officers, Council and everyone connected with cricket in Wales for their much valued support and assistance given during the past years.

May the words of Sir Henry John Newbolt’s immortal poem, ‘Vitai Lampada’ resonate throughout the clubs. 

“Play Up! Play Up! And play the Game!” 

With every good wish for the coming season.