Introduction
The Heidelberg Cricket Club was founded in 1857, making it one of the oldest continuously operating cricket clubs in Victoria. The club competes in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association, fielding 4 senior teams (including a Father/Son team) and upwards of 8 junior teams,and a Veterans team. In Season 2021/22, Heidelberg CC fielded the first ever female junior cricket team.
Heidelberg proudly wears the colours yellow and black. The club's home base is Warringal Park in Heidelberg, on the Yarra river.
Players and members of the Heidelberg Cricket Club enjoy a relaxed, yet competitive atmosphere where life-long friendships are formed. As testament to this, the current President, Secretary, and Treasurer as well as many of our senior players all played their junior cricket at Heidelberg.
Matches
Games are played on artificially turfed hard wickets. Senior cricket is played on Saturday afternoons between the hours of 1-00pm and 6-00pm, with a combination of 2-day games (80 overs per side) and 1-day games (40 overs per side) making up the fixture. The format for junior cricket games varies according to the age group, with the most common format being 2-day games comprising 40 overs per side played on Friday evenings. The DVCA cricket season runs from October through to February, with finals being completed by the middle of March. Because games are played on hard wickets, wash-outs are a rarity and the wickets are fairly consistent in their characteristics and week to week presentation.
History & Culture
Heidelberg Cricket Club has an envious history of success and is renowned for fielding strong junior teams into which it puts much effort and resources. Many of Heidelberg's cricketers have "gone on" to become strong District and State players. In the modern era, Heidelberg's teams are sprinkled with players that have represented the club for 30 and even 40 years, with player retention being a defining characteristic. Many of Heidelberg's outstanding cricketers came through the junior ranks and are now coaches of the junior squads themselves.
Development Philosophy
The Club's junior and senior sections operate as a single entity. Children from the ages 5 to 9 years are offered the chance to participate in the Milo IN2Cricket program (akin to the AFL's AusKick program). From there they can progress into the 'junior' ranks which offer participation only grades initially, then competition grades based on age group. From the age 16 onwards, players can move seamlessly into the Senior grades of cricket played on Saturday afternoons. Age groups start from U/10 'Joeys' development and continue through to the U/18 level. Many of our junior players also enjoy participating in open age (senior) cricket where our philosophy is to give our junior cricketers the chance to develop their skills and knowledge of the game.
Parental Involvement
All parents, and especially junior parents, are strongly encouraged to get involved with the Club. Many parents quite enjoy simply sitting on the sidelines with a picnic rug and a glass of chilled white watching their kids participate. Others might like to stick their hand up to score, umpire, assist the coaches, or collect the boundary line 'hats'. All levels of involvement are most welcome.
Warringal Park
This beautiful sports ground, flanked by the Yarra River, is the home of Heidelberg Cricket Club. We are fortunate to enjoy great support from our co-tenants, the Heidelberg Football Club. Many players represent the cricket club in Summer and the football club in Winter. The social rooms are first rate, providing a wonderful atmosphere for post game celebrations and player/supporter get-togethers. The club has contributed to the development of the change and training rooms that doubles as a fantastic viewing deck in summer. Many past players and supports of the Heidelberg Cricket Club can be found enjoying a cooling beverage whilst taking in the days play.