FRESH from the excitement of Australia's Ashes triumph, junior cricketers throughout Port Macquarie are being invited to sign up for the coming season.
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Registrations are now open for all age groups this summer, with the action due to start in just a couple of weeks.
Port Macquarie Junior Cricket Club president James Kay said there were a range of options for children of all ages, with an emphasis on shorter games and more fun.
"There have been some great changes to junior cricket to increase the focus on short, energetic 'Big Bash' type formats across the various age groups," he said.
For younger boys and girls wanting to learn and develop their skills while playing cricket with their friends, a Junior Blasters (ages 5-7) program will run for an hour on Friday afternoons, kicking off on October 25.
"For 7-10 year-olds, we have the 'Backyard Bash', which offers players an action-packed game of cricket at Wayne Richards Park, also on Friday afternoons," Kay said.
"This four-week competition starts on October 15 and will be followed by our Friday afternoon competition for children in this age group.
"The Saturday morning competition for under 11s and older starts on October 19, so we're not far off from getting the season underway."
The playing conditions for junior cricket will continue to be tailored to the respective age groups.
Under 11s play a two-hour 7-a-side game on a shortened pitch, while under 12s and 13s have nine players on each team and a slightly longer boundary.
The under 14s and 16s have a full complement of 11 players per team, with even the older age groups all finished by 11.45am.
Kay said there was still plenty of time for parents to register their children.
"We have been really happy to see so many boys and girls wanting to play cricket, but we have plenty of room for more players and we're still taking registrations," he said.
"Parents wanting to register or to find out more about playing junior cricket can go to the website, www.playcricket.com.au ."
Anyone needing information or help to decide which competition their children should play in is welcome to phone Natalie Jordan from the Port Macquarie Junior Cricket Club on 0429821146.
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