Increasing participation in and improving the standard of youth cricket is a continuous aim for the Northern Cricket Union (NCU). We recognise the importance of offering high quality opportunities for today's young cricketers so that children are inspired to play cricket and so that we can continue to produce high quality club and representative teams and, hopefully, future First Class and Ireland cricketers.

At a recent NCU Youth Directorate selection meeting NCU Chairman Alan Waite stated, 'The youth programme within the NCU continues to grow and develop, and from February 2017, it is intended to have coaching at Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 age groups to support the numbers of players and talent coming forward from our clubs.'

Under 11

Thirty-three players from twelve different cricket clubs within the NCU have each had four hours expertise with the regional cricket coaches. Eleven players have been invited to join another twelve players previously selected, to participate in the next development phase (20th November 2016 to 29th January 2017).

This will consist of a further seven hours of coaching at the Ulster University Sports Centre at Jordanstown campus. Commenting on the sessions to date, coach Andy McCrea said, 'The clubs are really now only sending players that they feel have the possible opportunities of handling the step up. Great steps in the right direction both on a club and interprovincial level.'

Those players selected for the next phase of Under 11 age group:

• Dylan Alexander (Donacloney)
• Luka Bates (Muckamore)
• Angus Carson (Instonians)
• George Craigan (Instonians)
• Ryan Dakhane (Muckamore)
• Lorcan Donnelly (Instonians) 
• Harry Dyer (CSNI) 
• Scott Gray (CSNI) 
• Daniel Henry (Cregagh) 
• Michael Holloway (Instonians)
• Amy Hunter (Instonians)
• Ryan Hunter (CSNI)
• Adam Leckey (CSNI) 
• Finn Lutton (Templepatrick)
• Alex Meyer (CSNI)
• Ross Minford (CSNI) 
• Ben McCausland (Instonians)
• Yuv Pahuja (CSNI)
• George Palmer (Instonians)
• Callum Soper (CIYMS) 
• John Speers (Laurelvale)
• Ethan Trill (CIYMS) 
• James West (CSNI)

Under 13

Forty-four cricketers from fifteen different clubs within the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) have each received four hours expertise with the regional cricket coaches. Nineteen players have been invited to form part of the next development phase (20th November 2016 to the 29th January 2017). This will consist of a further seven hours of coaching at the Ulster University Sports Centre at Jordanstown campus. Commenting on the sessions to date, coach Callum Atkinson said, 'We were very impressed with the standard throughout the group'.

Those players selected for the next phase of Under 13 age group:

• Mohammed Aahil (CSNI)
• Sam Allister (Waringstown)
• Matthew Cherry (CSNI)
• Matthew Daly (Waringstown)
• Alex Darrah (Templepatrick)
• Cameron Doak (Lisburn)
• Rory Ellerby (Instonians)
• Matthew Halliday (Derriaghy)
• Adam Kennedy (Instonians)
• Ben Kenny (Derriaghy) 
• Adam Ly (Instonians) 
• Ryan Matthews (Donacloney)
• Stuart McCollam (Waringstown)
• Rory McConnell (Instonians)
• Carson McCullough (CIYMS)
• James Rose (Instonians)
• Sam Topping (Waringstown)
• Michael Waite (Waringstown)
• Ben White (Derriaghy)

The NCU would like to convey it's thanks to parents, club coaches, regional coaches and volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment over the previous phase. Most importantly it wishes to encourage those players who haven't made it through to the next phase to keep developing their game to achieve future success.