Posted on Tuesday 26th March 2013 by Colin Dawson

The WDCU, in conjuction with SCOA, is offering, I believe, a free "Introduction to Umpiring" course for all players, coaches and all interested in cricket.  The final course is to be held at Drumpellier CC, Coatbridge at 7pm [till 9,30pm] on Friday, 19 April. More information can be found here.

Any member interested can apply direct but please let Colin Dawson [ colindawson17@btinternet.com ] know that you are going for admin purposes.

Having been on the course myself it is interesting and sometimes holds big surprises - recommended.  It is run by Billy McPate and our very own top umpire, Vic Hadcroft.

Posted on Wednesday 13th March 2013 by Colin Dawson

After some years of accumulating funds from various sources and with the gratefully accepted assistance of The Glasgow Academy School, the Glasgow Academicals' Sports Club, the Cricket Scotland Development Trust, a couple of major past member benefactors and also, hopefully, the Lords' taverners Fund your committee is delighted to announce that work has now begun on the renewal of the 4-bay artificial net practice area plus the two artificial match pitches, all of which are sited at the Club ground at New Anniesland.

The original facilities were installed with the assistance of the Lottery Fund and benefactors way back in the mid-1990's and for some time have been in need of major overhaul with safety aspects uppermost in mind.  The artificial practice nets will be on the existing site but turned through 90 degrees in order to avoid the evening sunlight shining in the eyes of the bowlers.  This should reduce any safety concerns currently existing.  The two new match pitches will be on their existing sites without any change of angle.

The contract has been awarded to ClubTurf Ltd whose specifications show a significant upgrade over the existing installations.  With the current spell of dry weather it has been able to bring forward the work and it is hoped that the new facilities will have bedded in in time for the start of the new season which is rapidly approaching.

Your committee is confident that the new facilities will provide once again the best possible practice and match areas in the whole of the west of Scotland and it is now up to the members to make full use of them.  The pupils of the Glasgow Academy School will also benefit hugely from the facilities and it is intended also to provide two grass pitch practice areas adjacent to the practice nets in due course.

Finally two new heavy-duty mobile net cages are being acquired for use either on the square or on the match pitches providing additional areas for practice. 

All we need now is a decent summer and enough seniors and young players coming through the ranks to show that we can field four regular Saturday League teams and be "the club to fear" in the future!  Your committee has done its bit - now it's up to you. 

Posted on by Fraser Murray

The Glasgow Academy is running coaching courses during the Easter holidays in April for any young and enthusiastic cricketer.  The courses will be organised and delivered by Mr Vedam Hariharan who is the cricket professional with the Academy during the summer, and a leading overseas coach in Australian and Indian Cricket Centres of Excellence.

The courses will take place at The Glasgow Academy.  Several facilities will be used to provide the best possible environment for learning and developing cricket skills and knowledge.  This will include the sports hall, which now offers four high quality net areas and the option of splitting into three large open working areas, a smaller gym which provides an ideal venue for more intense technical work in small groups and a large astro-turf area.

• Course 1 P4-S1: Monday April 8^th – Friday 12th April 9.00am – 11.00am
• Course 2 P4-S1: Monday April 8^th – Friday 12^th April 11.15am – 1.15pm
• Course 3 13-18yo/S2-S6: Monday 8^th April – Friday 12^th April 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Each course will cost £25.

Full details:

• Juniors - Courses 1 and 2
• Seniors - Course 3