Players commit further funds to ACA Premier Cricket Program

26 June, 2018

Australia’s players have re-committed to the ACA Premier Cricket Program for another two seasons.

The ACA Premier Cricket Program has been designed to support 
ACA members in their post-cricket lives via a program that retains and harnesses the skill, experience and knowledge of ACA Members to identify, instruct and inspire talent through both the male and female Premier Cricket pathways.

As Premier Cricket around the country continues to evolve; the program will again expand in 2018/19 with additional 1st XI female teams, ACT Premier Clubs and a Northern Tasmanian team now eligible for this year’s Premier Cricket Program.

Manager of the ACA Premier Cricket Program Brendan Drew said that the first three years of the program had been an ‘overwhelming success’.

“Starting within male Premier Cricket in 2015/16, the Program took the exciting step to expand into female Premier Cricket in 2017/18,” Drew said.

“The Program is now incorporating another ten clubs for the 2018/19 season, which sees the ACA’s and the players’ impact on this vital cricket pathway continue to grow.

“When coupled with the players commitment to establish a Cricket Grassroots Fund, it is clear that our players are passionate about making sure the game is in a healthy place, at all levels.”

After three years of the program, 234 ACA members have been involved across Premier Cricket clubs around the country, with more than $2.5 million invested into the Premier Cricket pathway.

This year’s commitment will see over $1 million again go towards supporting Members and Premier Cricket around the country.

Based on a number of criteria, including the number of teams within the club, the number of games played and time committed to Premier Cricket, clubs will be able to access between $6,500 and $15,000 to engage ACA members in playing and coaching roles.

The objectives of the program are:

  • Provide a platform for ACA members to remain in Premier Cricket through playing, coaching and talent identification roles;
  • Narrow the gap between Premier Cricket and high performance/ domestic cricket;
  • Create additional opportunities for clubs to support and enhance existing budgets and structures;
  • Grow a sustainable program that ensures Premier Cricket remains the lifeblood of Australian Cricket;
  • Retain first-class cricketers in Premier Cricket;
  • Provide a higher level of Premier Cricket competition;
  • Identify, instruct and inspire the next generation of Australian elite cricketers; and
  • To balance Premier Club objectives with the development of emerging talent.
© Australian Cricket Players Limited
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
The Australian Cricketers’ Association acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present.