History

Upper Hutt is blessed with many fine parks and lots of grass for kids to play on. It is also proud of its very strong sporting culture, especially in the junior codes. It is from such a strong and supportive background that JCUH has grown to be one of the biggest and arguably most resourced junior clubs in New Zealand. Boasting almost 500 members from 5 to 12 years it represents 10% (about twice the national average) of the primary school children in UH.

Did you know that Shane Bond played his first 3 years of cricket with JCUH? Obviously it gave him a great start and it can give a great start to your children also.

The large number of children at JCUH equates to about 50 teams each season led by a coach and manager. Finding keen and talented coaches and managers is not always easy and the committee certainly appreciates all the support it receives each season. Many coaches and managers stay on in their roles throughout the playing career of their children and this allows coaches especially to hone their skills and improve on the quality of coaching the club can provide. All roles in the club are completely unpaid which allows JCUH to keeps its fees low.

The club has an inclusive philosophy that strives to maximise the enjoyment of the game throughout its 5 main grades. As children progress through the club skills and ‘normal’ cricket rules are gradually introduced. The size of the JCUH allows it to prepare its own draw for the Have-A-Go, Midget and Junior Grades, which together make up 2/3rds of the club. For these Grades all games are played in UH at the same time and the same venues each week. Parents appreciate this forward planning and can be issued with a draw and a map of grounds for the whole year at the beginning of the season. Intermediate and Senior Grades play regionally with longer games and all the rules of normal cricket. Intermediate Grade also introduces a ‘girls only’ grade and here girls don’t have to mix it with the boys if they don’t want to. At the Senior level, Premier and Colts teams are also picked for Saturday games.

Upper Hutt has always been a strong advocate of the Hastings Cricket Camp and each year in January, sends 4 teams. The camp allows the more talented children extra exposure to teams from all over the lower North Island. The Hutt Valley Interzone Tournament follows, and from these games the Hutt Valley Representative and Development squads are picked. Through these tournaments talented players get a lot of extra cricket and coaching. JCUH has always been well represented in ‘Rep’ teams, which attests to the strength of the club and the quality of its coaches and organization.

Matthew McCullum bowls at Hastings while coach Leo Morta umpires.

Apart from the above Tournaments other special events during the year include: team photos, fund raising, the always popular ‘6-a-Side tournament’ and Prize-giving.

Seniors enjoy the annual 6-a-Side Tournament at Trentham Memorial Park.

JCUH is very excited that the new “Logan Plaza Training Centre”, located at Trentham Memorial Park, has been fully completed and is now open to all interested community groups. Since 1996 when the project was first mooted, JCUH have raised in excess of $450,000. The training centre has become the ‘home’ of junior cricket in Upper Hutt. It is equipped with 3 full-size indoor practice lanes, a ‘tuck shop’, and office as well as providing new toilet facilities for the park. A trust has been formed to manage and fund the facility. This trust is an opportunity for ex-committee members of JCUH to continue their stewardship of junior cricket, and of cricket and community sport as a whole.

Logan Plaza Training Centre.

The Upper Hutt community has generously and widely supported the project. Grants from Logan Plaza, Rimutaka Licensing Trust, Totara Lodge and Quins Post Community Trusts have meant that the facility will be some 42 meters in length, fully equipped with top quality nets, lights, under floor coverings and a bowling machine. JCUH are also hoping to provide the services of a full-time qualified cricket coach for their members.

Opportunities are available to either sponsor or contribute to the facility. All contributions will be prominently recognised within the foyer building. Options exist for families and individuals to “Buy a Brick’ for $150. Alternatively business can invest $500. Details can be obtained from the chairman or from David Service 021-366-953.

JCUH is the only junior cricket club in NZ to have its own website at www.juniorcricket.co.nz. The site is currently about to undergo a revamp for the new season and extensive coaching resources specific to each grade are planned.

Midget players (7/8 yrs) at Harcourt Park.

Midget players (7/8 yrs) at Maidstone Park.