ST BENEDICT’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL CRICKET POLICIES
Cricket is a unique and very special game. We believe it plays a consequential role in the education and development of a young boy. It is a team game that teaches discipline, manners, etiquette and most importantly perseverance. The game of cricket is one of the best levellers e.g. a boy scoring a fifty in one match and then failing to score in another. It teaches boys to focus and concentrate. A lapse of either could cost a wicket or runs.
St Benedict’s Preparatory School enters cricket teams into the local East area leagues, Independent school friendly leagues, Wednesday Super Leagues as well as traditional Saturday cricket fixtures, so as to afford as many of our boys the opportunity of participating in school matches. Our cricket coaches who are all currently involved in coaching roles and administrative positions with JHB East and the Gauteng Primary Schools Cricket Association have a love for the game of cricket and their aim is to coach as many boys as professionally and effectively as possible. St Benedict’s have recently for the second year running been awarded with the privilege of hosting the Gauteng Primary Schools U/12 cricket week at Bennies, Ravens Park and BCC. With eight turf cricket pitches the St Benedict’s cricket section will be welcoming the 16 area teams from around Gauteng early in October. This is certainly an exciting event to look forward to. Our coaches meet regularly to discuss the progress of the boys. In addition, they are dedicated to imparting their knowledge of the game, and developing skills and techniques of the players and deliver meaningful and enjoyable coaching sessions. Be assured that they do have the best interests of the boys at heart. And we do appeal to parents to please respect their integrity, experience and professional attitude when it comes to team selection. In essence, it is after all your son’s game. Respect his individuality; his development level; his competency and his ability to play within the team, where he can have fun and where he feels he can make a meaningful contribution, without having to contend with unnecessary pressures. In doing so he will have a better chance of being just a boy, and above all, playing and enjoying cricket, which will provide him with experiences that correspond so closely to life, and which he may only draw upon many years from now.
CRICKET EQUIPMENT
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Cricket bag, Cricket bat, cricket ball, cricket pads, cricket gloves, cricket groin protector, thigh pad (optional), school mushroom cricket cap, cricket helmet.
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Every boy who chooses to play cricket at St Benedict’s will need his own cricket kit.
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When choosing a cricket bat, many parents feel that they should get a bat that their son can grow into, in order for it to last longer. This is a grave error and one that will have a major impact on your son’s batting.
Please consult the table below for an indication on the most suitable size of bat for your son:
Under 1,20m tall - Size 2 1,20m – 1,40m tall - Size 3
1,40m – 1,50m tall - Size 4 1,50m – 1,60m tall - Size 5
1,60m – 1,70m tall - Size 6 1,70m – 1,80m tall - Harrow
1,80m upwards - Short handle
Rather have a bat that is too light than one that is too heavy.
CRICKET ETTIQUETTE
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Our boys are to be correctly dressed at all times
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All boys are to field in the blue mushroom cricket cap. A wide St Benedict’s brimmed sun hat may also be worn.
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Blazers are to be worn before and after a match and during the tea/ lunch break
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The captain is to wear his blazer during the ‘toss’ on the pitch
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The umpires are to receive complete respect from players and parents. The umpire must be addressed Sir or Mr. Umpire by all players. When taking guard, each batsman shall greet the umpire and then ask politely for guard in a loud clear voice.
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We treat our opposition team members with the utmost respect and courtesy at all times and occasions.
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No abusive or foul language is permitted.
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Boys are to sit together on the side of the field when waiting to bat. Only the next boy in may have balls thrown to him to warm up. Boys should sit with their team members at all times during the match.
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The fielding side is to wait for the umpires to go onto the field first before they walk onto the field. The umpires are to be clapped onto the field by the fielding side.
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No player drops a catch on purpose. In the event of that happening, players will encourage and assist the unfortunate player.Immediately after the match has ended, all players are to shake hands, in a warm manner, with each member of the opposing team and with the umpires.
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The scorers are to be thanked by each player.
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Our boys are to be punctual at all times (There are very few valid reasons for not arriving at a match or a practice)
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Behaviour off the field is just as important as on the field.
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We expect parents to encourage and applaud their boys.
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No alcohol to be consumed on the sporting grounds during match fixtures. Your understanding of this matter will be greatly appreciated.
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Parents are requested to remain off the playing field and clear of the nets during practices and cricket trials.
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All Bennies boys, parents and coaches play a very important role when representing, coaching or supporting our boys during sports fixtures. It is important to always build on our relationships and companionship with associated Schools. The Sports department at St Benedict’s Preparatory School always strives to build new healthy relationships with traditional Schools as well as extend our reputation and relationships with Schools in other provinces.
DUTIES OF THE TEAM CAPTAIN
To be selected as the captain of your cricket team is both a great honour and a great responsibility. You have been given a role of leadership and your team will be looking to you for guidance and direction. You will ultimately have to make decisions, although you should never disregard the advice of the senior players in your team, and of course, your coach.
The captain of a team needs to constantly make decisions regarding the state of the game; who should I bowl? Should I change the field? If I win the toss, should I bat or bowl? What will the pitch do? Although these are big decisions for a boy to make, you should remain calm and level-headed and if necessary, consult your coach for advice. Do not panic!
Your duties as captain entail ensuring that all the boys on the team list have checked against their names. You should then establish that they are all aware of the date, time and venue of the match. At the match, check that all of your team is present and correctly attired. You will need to introduce yourself to the opposing team’s captain, the umpires and go out to the pitch and toss the coin. This should always be done with your blazer on.
During the game, keep your team with you as this provides an ideal opportunity for you to discuss strategies and to inform the team of your plans or tactics. It also builds up team spirit. Keep yourself and your team informed as to the state of the game at all times. (What the score is? How many wickets have fallen? When is tea? Remind your players that they are to take lunch and tea with their blazers on. The opposition, umpires and coaches should be thanked while you are wearing the school blazer. Caps are not to be worn during the lunch or tea interval. Players are to be reminded that they arrive and travel home in their blazers. Remember, the success of your team off the field is as important as your success on the field.