The junior section has been quietly developing over the last few years with growing numbers of players attending the weekly hardball and softball sessions. Combining summer and winter coaching for both groups has helped build not only technical skills but also match awareness for the players.

Support for the junior section from Aberdeen Orthopaedic Network in providing coloured playing kit for the players has helped provide an identity for the junior teams as key parts of our club.

The club is grateful to AON for their support and directs members to the AON website https://www.aberdeenorthopaedics.com/ : a self-referral link for Orthopaedic treatment.

Our youngest team, the under13s took part in the National Finals of the U13 ECB Vitality Cup at Holy Cross School in Edinburgh on Sunday 23rd June.

Coach, Phil Wood has an exciting squad full of very enthusiastic, highly talented players to take on the best players in their age group from the other regions of Scotland. So far, this team has comfortably defeated Gordonians, Stoneywood/Dyce and Forfarshire to reach this stage.

Drawn against Uddingston in the semi-final they played with a blend of skill, enthusiasm and competitive teamwork to restrict Uddingston to 111/3 (20 overs) but fell 5 runs short finishing on 106/5 (20 overs). The team beat Perth Doocot in the 3rd/4th playoff match chasing down Perth’s 132/8 (20 overs) in 17.3 overs 133/4.

0ur older team, the under15s,has also progressed to the National Finals of the U15 ECB Vitality Cup, date and venue still to be confirmed

With a bye in the first round then home ties in the second round and quarter finals against Gordonians and Arbroath resulting in comfortable wins, a semi-final against Carlton awaits on finals day.

Allstars Cricket

As an ECB Accredited Allstars Cricket Centre May brought the launch of Allstars for 5–8-year-olds on Friday evenings, as the only cricket centre in Aberdeen it is great to have 60 children signed up for this year’s programme. Some are returning Allstars but there is a good number of boys and girls coming along for their first experience of cricket.

The weather has stayed fair most weeks and the Allstars are having fun enjoying the skill drills and small games; a big thank you goes to activators for making the sessions such a success!