Carlton strongly supports the retention of the SNCL Premier League, which we believe to be in the best interests of the sport in Scotland, Scottish clubs and, crucially, current and future Scottish cricketers. 

 

Enabling cricketers across the country to compete at the highest level of the club game throughout the season is essential if we are to maintain the public profile of the sport and to continue to develop players for our national side and for the clubs upon which the game relies.

 

Regional leagues will inevitably reduce standards, which is surely not in the interests of the national side or the club game as a whole.  Young cricketers develop and maintain standards by playing against the strongest opposition as frequently as possible. Harsh lessons learned early develop young cricketers quickly. Cricket Scotland has made great strides in recent years in this area with the introduction of regional academies, increased fixtures against county opposition for our Under 17s and the Lions and, above all, with the excellent scheme to involve the Under 19 side in the SNCL Premier League. Retaining this Premier League is essential if we are not to undo a great deal of the hard work carried out in recent years.  

 

While the subject of travel has been raised as an argument against a national setup, transport costs are not a significant issue in our experience. Indeed the national profile of our cricket helps to generate sponsorship to offset these travel costs. We also believe that travelling time is a minor part of the whole day. The major component is 8+ hours of cricket (plus warm-up & post-match). The truth is that even regional leagues consume the majority of each summer Saturday.

 

Carlton is firmly of the opinion that replacing national club cricket with an inter-district competition is not a viable option as this approach has been tried and failed in the past. There is lack of commitment and organisation (elements that thrive in most forward-looking SNCL clubs) at this artificial ‘interim’ level. The district model is failing in (the much better financed) sport of Rugby Union and is a poor example for cricket to follow.

 

Looking south, Glamorgan is currently aiming to improve the quality of cricket in Wales by combining regional leagues into an elite, South Wales league. Now is not the time to dismantle a national premier league in Scotland. The SNCL is not the finished article. Even recent rule changes (e.g. Level 2 for professionals, TopClub criteria) have yet to feed through and these will inevitably take time to develop improved standards across all committed Scottish clubs.

 

Elite sport (whether playing it or running it) is not easy - it’s not supposed to be.  Regional cricket sets the bar too low, holding back the development of the game, stifling the next generation of players and smothering the game’s public profile.  If some Premier League clubs fear that SNCL participation is too onerous, there is a regional alternative.  Those with the long-term vision and commitment to develop their club, their junior activities and their facilities will thrive in a competitive environment, so improving the standard of Scottish cricket at both club and international level.

May 26th 2009