As the sun starts to shine on the 2018 NCU season, the recent inclement weather has impacted on the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) fixture scheduling and ground availability. This did not deter the regional coaches in expanding the representative development programme, with a significant level of activity last weekend: 

• Emerging Knights: two Twenty 20 fixtures against the Lightning Bolts, played at Laurelvale Cricket Club
• NCU Under 15: Squad training session at Wallace High School, Lisburn
• NCU under 13: Squad training session at Wallace High School, Lisburn
• NCU Under 10: Squad training session at Shaws Bridge, Belfast (Instonians Cricket Club)
• Coach Education: Welcome to cricket course delivered by Andy McCrea at Wallace High School

Uel Graham, NCU Cricket Operations and Administration Manager said, 'The NCU is indebted to all host clubs and Wallace High School Lisburn, for facilitating these events. There was in excess of 60 participants with more than 10 coaches supporting this initiative'. 

It is hoped that the large scale investment in youth cricket will provide future dividends for schools, clubs, the Northern Knights, and Irish Cricket.