Closed Clubs In Cricket

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28774, 20 December 1958, Page 5

Closed Clubs In Cricket

At its next meeting early in January, the management committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association will probably make its decision on the application for affiliation by the newly formed Shirley Boys’ High School Old Boys club. Its decision is an important one for it will be a policy decision, and on it may rest the fate of similar applications that may be made later. Although no speaker at the committee’s meeting this week expressed his direct opposition to granting this, and future old boys’ clubs’ affiliations, it was apparent from the discussion that several members —all members of open clubs—were not favourably disposed towards the formation of such clubs.

The association’s first duty is to provide cricket for the players and the type of club to which they belong—be it open or closed —should be of no importance. There are many other competitive summer sports and cricket, along with all the other sports, is in no position to be making it more difficult for players to compete. Every endeavour should be made to provide cricket for the boys, and it is highly desirable that when the committee considers the Shirley application and the special sub-committee’s report, it will not lose sight of them.

Old boys’ clubs do offer a threat to the open clubs, but they keep players in the game—and that is important.