Cricket Academies and clubs with juniors teams interested in playing outdoors in the Toronto and District Cricket Association this year have until March 15, 2015 to register with the league. Registration can be completed on-line via the TDCA facebook page, which is accessible through the TDCA website home page.

An Under-11 competition is being introduced with games expected to be played on weekdays. This age group extension reflects ICC development program expectations. It is anticipated that each team will play 6-8 games in the U11 section. Hopes for the introduction of an Under-11 section in the TDCA this year had been mentioned at the December 20014 Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce forum about cricket as an emerging sport in Canada.

Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 age group competitions will continue as usual on weekends, with an expectation of teams playing 10-12 games.

There are to be two types of competition at Under-20 level with a one-day 40-over league, anticipated to result in teams playing some 14-16 games, and a “test match” two innings per side competition. The first innings for each side will be limited to 55 overs per side, followed by a second innings with a maximum of 45 overs per side. The two day games are planned for Tuesdays and Wednesdays with thoughts of a 5 or 6 game schedule per team.

In each age group there will be “east” and “west” sections with teams from east and west meeting only in the year-ending playoff competitions.

It would be good for the league, in my opinion, if these junior leagues were able to gain some corporate sponsorship and the semi-finals and finals in the playoffs, in particular, were to become a promoted event that might attract more publicity for the participants.

Further information about these Toronto and District Cricket Association junior competitions can be found on the home page of the TDCA website. Team entries can be input and, if necessary, league administration can be e-mailed with any questions potential participating teams may have.