Tigers chief tipping bigger surge in cricket participation this summer on back of 10 per cent increase

A three year decline in cricket participation was broken in the past 12 months courtesy of a big increase, but the state’s top official believes there is plenty of room for more growth

Jarvis Bosworth, 8 and Lainee Callinan, 8 from the Clarence Cricket Club are two of the juniors coming through the ranks. Picture: Zak Simmonds

• Female cricketers leading the way

CRICKET Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker believes the turnaround in participation rates in the past 12 months is just the beginning for the growth in the sport.

The release of the Australian Cricket Census data earlier this week showed an increase of more than 10 per cent in Tasmania — snapping a three year decline of people taking up the game.

Jarvis Bosworth, 8 and Lainee Callinan, 8 from the Clarence Cricket Club. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Baker is confident the code has the potential to improve this summer on the back of the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down a host of winter sports.

“We are expecting to have a bumper season really, and it will only be capped by our ability to deliver programs,” Baker said.

“Obviously in a COVID-19 world we are looking at how to best deliver as many programs as possible.

“Realistically, it is also about ground availability. Grounds aren’t growing on trees at the moment, one ground with a synthetic wicket can cope with 16 teams.

Jarvis Bosworth, 8 and Lainee Callinan, 8 from the Clarence Cricket Club. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The more open spaces we get lined up for cricket, the more the game will grow.”

The 10.5 per cent increase in registered participation represented a total of 20,690 players, while female participation again led the way with 3592 new players (16 per cent increase).

Overall club cricket participation grew in Tasmania, with junior leagues increasing by 13 per cent (5592) and senior leagues growing by 4.6 per cent (8373).

Eastern Shore CTPL club Clarence was one club which saw a spike in junior numbers, with the Roos’ Cricket Blast participation increasing from 93 to 110 while the club also fielded an additional under-13 and under-15 team last summer.

Jarvis Bosworth, 8 and Lainee Callinan, 8 from the Clarence Cricket Club. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We have some pretty bold expectations for the future,” president Scott Wade said.

“We are really keen to get stuck into being the best club in the state as far as development is concerned.

“I think our club has had a good history of producing high quality players, but we are really keen to make sure we are bursting at the seams with numbers.”

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