The transition of youth players into adult [Open] competitions is one of the main guides to the strength of club cricket. There are very few [if any] clubs who would not count the encouragement of youth cricket as one of their primary objectives. Policies may differ between clubs as to the appropriate age to introduce youth players to adult cricket but, whenever this takes place, managing the transition is one of the main challenges facing clubs today.

 

The breakdown of figures for youth players who have taken taken part in Open Competitions provides an insight into the strength of youth cricket across Leinster. As always statistics only tell part of the story but they are at least indicative and provide clubs with an idea of how they are performing in this critical area. 

 

The figures below are for the number of youth players [U18 on 1st January, 2015] broken into three main age categories. The number of matches played [and the player / match ratio] is an important check on whether youth players are being picked regularly or just filling in. Of course these figures will change over the course of the season as players return from exams and holidays. But a mid-season review was through important as it gives time for clubs to review [and perhaps adapt] their approach to the development of young players during the course of the season.