Norfolk High School Hardball & Softball Competition Entries 2024

Ref: Norfolk Schools’ Cricket Competitions (Hardball & Softball): Summer 2024

Dear Colleague,                                               

Happy New Year!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed a restful Christmas break but, as we’ve now moved into 2024, it must be time to start thinking about cricket!

Following an annual review, I can confirm that all competitions that were offered in 2023 will continue this summer and that there will be one addition, a hardball competition for u13 girls.

We hope that among the full range of competitions – hardball and softball – there will be an opportunity for schools to enter those which will provide their students with a positive cricket experience.

OPEN COMPETITIONS (Public School & State School)

The seven existing open hardball competitions (u11 to u15) have been retained and an u13 girls’ competition has been added.

• Under 11 Girls Hardball Cup – for schools with Year 6 pupils – this will be played on Monday 13th May at Gresham’s with winners to compete in a regional finals’ day in June
• Under 11 Boys Cup – for schools with Year 6 pupils – this will be played on Tuesday 14th May at Gresham’s with winners to compete in a regional finals’ day in June
• Under 12 David English Bunbury/Blyth Cup – with qualification for regional/national competition in 2025 for the winners
• Under 13 Girls Cup – county competition
• Under 13 Calder Cup – county competition
• Under 14 Inspire Sport/Sleigh Cup –with qualification for regional/national competition in 2025 for the winners
• Under 15 ESCA T20 – with qualification for regional/national competition later in the summer for winners (all semi-finalists to qualify for a ‘finals day’)
• Under 15 Girls T20, The Nicola Woodhouse Trophy – county competition.

STATE SCHOOL COMPETITIONS

HARDBALL CRICKET COMPETITIONS

As has operated for the past two summers, there will be round-robin groups for all years from u12 to u15 which will lead to finals’ events and produce a county winner in July.

• Under 12 Mixed (Year 7)
• Under 13 Mixed (Year 8)
• Under 14 Mixed (Year 9)
• Under 15 Mixed (Year 10)

SOFTBALL CRICKET COMPETITIONS

Softball festivals for U12 (Year 7) and U13 (Year 8) pupils will be organised by Richard Grove (Wymondham College) and Ben Player (Framingham Earl High School). These are open to all schools in Norfolk and do not require cricket specific pitches in order to enter. (Dates and venues to be confirmed)

HIGH SCHOOL ENTRY FORM AND COSTS

Accompanying this letter is an entry form which needs to be returned by Friday 9th February.

The entry cost is £10 for each hardball competition but there will be no charge for softball competitions.

Please send completed forms to John Chilvers via email at: alexandjohn5@btinternet.com.

PAYMENT

Arrangements for payments have been changed for this year and all schools will be invoiced.

We look forward to receiving your entries for 2024 high school hardball or softball competitions. If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any queries.

Best wishes

John Chilvers

John Chilvers (on behalf of the Norfolk Cricket Board)
alexandjohn5@btinternet.com