The BankSA Country Cup and Statewide Carnivals resume this month after a successful number of seasons.
BankSA Junior Country Carnivals Showcase South Australia’s emerging country cricketers in the U12, U14 and U16 age groups.
Following on from the BankSA U12 and U14 Country Cup carnivals, two teams will be selected to compete in State-wide carnivals.
Now in its fifth year, SACA’s Grade club and country partnership aligns all country associations with one of the 12 Grade clubs in Adelaide. This alignment gives country players the chance to test their skills against fellow cricketers from around the State while enabling Grade clubs to identify new players and strengthen relationships with their country zone.
The BankSA U17 Shield is a two week carnival staged from January 6 – 16 and comprises a team form heat of the 12 Grade clubs, SACA’s U15s, two country teams and a team representing community cricket. The two country teams are selected based on the performances by players at the BankSA U16 Country Carnival.
Teams are divided into two zones and play six, one-day games, plus a finals round to decide final standings. The winning teams from the two major semi-finals then face off in the Grand Final to decide the overall winner.
For many young players these competitions will act as the first step towards higher honours. Infact, current State players Kelvin Smith and Gary Putland have come through country zones and earned the honour of representing SA.
Now in its 89th year, the BankSA Senior Country Carnival will take place from February 3 – 6 at various SACA grounds around Adelaide.
The winning team will face the winner of the SAMCA Metropolitan Shield in the March SAMCA Cup Final.
BankSA is once again right behind the development of our young cricket players and the Cricket Carnival is designed to give young players from around the State the chance to play against one another, enjoy competing on new grounds and to broaden their playing and social networks.
We wish all players the best of luck and trust they will have an enjoyable time meeting up with past acquaintances, forming new friendships and playing good, competitive cricket.
More information is available on SACAS’s Country Cup website www.cricketsa.com.au
