NCU President, Peter McMorran, in his Autumn message referred to successes at youth Interprovincial level in the summer. As he begins his term as NCU Chairman, Alan Waite takes the opportunity to give a little more detail regarding the summer program that took place in 2016.

"Success in the underage Interprovincial series at U11, U15 and U17 levels (U13s narrowly missing out on Net Run Rate in a weather ravaged series) is the Union's best set of results in many years. However there was much more than this, with activity and participation at its highest level in years in both player numbers and clubs represented. Indeed 71 players represented the union across all age groups in 37 youth and development games."

"Our summer program included the following trips - U17s touring Ipswich/St Albans, U15s went to Denmark and our U14s went to Scotland. The Union was invited to send a team to the prestigious West Cricket Festival held at King's College, Taunton, where our U14 team beat Essex U14. The Union also hosted the touring Jersey U15."

"Special mention to Instonians who in the face of adverse weather, were able to ensure the final day of the U15 Interprovincial series went ahead. The support we have had from clubs has been excellent, without it we could not have completed such a wide and varied programme. Woodvale CC hosted Jersey U15, Carrickfergus CC hosted the two day MCC game versus Emerging Players, and Bangor, North Down, Downpatrick, Laurelvale, CSNI, Waringstown, Templepatrick, Cregagh, Saintfield and Muckamore all hosted games at various times during the season."

"The appointment of Callum Atkinson as Temporary Cricket Development Officer meant additional resources on the ground to support some great work being done at grass roots level, supporting Simon Johnston, Nigel Jones and Scott Irvine. Uel Graham has also been working in an organisational capacity to support the work being done by the regional coaches."

"Work has already been started on our Winter Regional Development sessions and I must commend clubs and schools for their nominations with over 225 players nominated over 6 age groups from U9 to U17, and for the first time we have included sessions for U15 and U17 Girls. These sessions started at Ulster University Jordanstown on Sunday 16th October."

"We have already starting planning our 2017 Summer fixture calendar, and as Chairman, I will update you on progress as soon as possible as I know parents will be keen to start to book holidays."

"Many thanks to all the help and support you have given to myself and the coaching team during the year."