Got a question about playing junior cricket at Preston Nomads? We’ve listed a few of the more common questions below. If you need to know more please get in touch.
Preston Nomads Cricket Club caters for junior cricketers of all ages, from U7 to U18. Organised league games start from U9 and up to U10 games are played with a soft ball that does not require protective equipment. Games are played in a “pairs” format where players get a set number of overs and run deductions for wickets instead of getting out.
From U11s the pairs format continues but games are played with a hard ball. Hard ball games require pads, gloves, helmet and box. From U12s games are played with traditional 11 a-side rules. Pitch lengths and ball sizes are also adjusted for each age group.
We have dedicated girls teams at U11s, U13s & U15s, our U9/10s teams are mixed. Girls players are able and encouraged to play up or down age groups depending on ability and confidence.
Age groups are determined by the child’s age on the 1st day of September of the previous year. So if your child was 8 on the 1st of September last year they would be U9.
We also have a thriving adult cricket section and provide opportunities for junior players to experience senior cricket as they progress. There are also opportunities for players to be put forward to the Sussex County Junior Pathway if they show particular ability.
Yes, Preston Nomads Cricket Club has a vibrant and growing girls‘ team. We have dedicated teams at U11s, U13s, and U15s, while our U9/10s teams are mixed. Players are able and encouraged to play up or down age groups depending on ability and confidence. Additionally, we also encourage girls to join our senior women‘s team when they are ready, offering even more playing opportunities.
Yes, we encourage any new players to come and join one of our training sessions. Please contact us to arrange a time to come and visit us.
The majority of our coaches have completed ECB Level 1 (or above) coaching certificates. All coaches hold a valid First Aid certificate and have undergone a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. The coaches at Preston Nomads Cricket Club are passionate about the game and committed to helping junior cricketers reach their potential.
In addition within the club we also have coaches with international playing and county coaching experience available to offer paid one-on-one or small group sessions.
Junior member fees are outlined in full on the membership information page. 2023 junior membership is £90/yr or £80/yr if paid before March 31st. If you have a second child the cost is £70 per additional child or £60 if paid before 31st of March. Membership fees include a team shirt. Additonal costs include a £4 match fee on game days and there is also a £4 fee for indoor winter net sessions that the club puts on pre-season.
Junior training during the summer months is generally on Friday nights for most age groups. We also offer junior pre-season indoor winter nets beginning around February. Up to date times can be found on the junior cricket page.
At Preston Nomads Cricket Club, we believe in providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all junior cricketers, regardless of their experience level. We understand that learning the basics of the game is essential for any aspiring cricketer, and we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for all our members to develop their skills and foster a love of the game. Our coaches ensure that all players get an equal amount of game time and our training is structured to include everyone, regardless of their level of experience.
You can find out more about our junior coaching programme here.
Nomads enters league teams in the Sussex Junior Cricket League in every age group from U9 upwards. We also have dedicated girls teams in the Sussex Junior Cricket League at U11, U13 & U15s. Leagues up to and including U11 are non-competitve and are regarded as friendlies. U9 & U10s use soft balls and play modified rules called pairs where players bat a set number of overs get a run deduction instead of getting out. In U11s the pairs format continues but players start using a hard ball and require full cricket protection such as pads, helmet and box.
From U11 and up we enter teams in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival which is a week long tournament in the summer school holidays. In addition to this, U13 and U15 teams are entered in the ECB Club T20 competition. There are also Sussex cup competitions in various years and league winners in U12/14/16 age groups get the opportunity to reach a final played at the County Ground in Hove.
As junior players advance in their abilities, they will have the opportunity to play in our senior teams too.
Especially at younger age groups we encourage players to come along and experience a few training sessions before purchasing new kit, please talk to one of our coaches who can help with loaning some equipment to try out. We can also offer advice on what kit to purchase.
U10 and below
- No specialist cricket equipment is required, the club supplies plastic bats and soft balls for league games and training sessions.
- Players may like to bring their own bat if they have one but not essential
- Club shirt is included in the membership fee
- A pair of white cricket trousers for league games
U11 and above
- Players start playing hard ball cricket and will require their own cricket bat, gloves, helmet, pads and box.
- Protective equipment is required before being permitted to play or train with a hard cricket ball
- Club shirt is included in the membership fee
- A pair of white cricket trousers for league games
- When games are one a grass pitch players may like to wear spiked cricket shoes but not essential
For all training sessions and games we encourage players to bring their own water and snacks as required and a hat and sunscreen. Also a few layers of clothing and a jumper for when it’s cold outside.
Our club shop has a range of training and match wear that can be purchased.
The senior cricket season at Preston Nomads usually starts in April and runs through to early September. For juniors the exact start date differs for each age group but most start in early May and go through to the end of August.
During the season, the club runs cricket training sessions on Friday nights for its junior cricketers. The club also offers indoor training sessions beginning in February to prepare for the upcoming season.
Please check out the Junior Cricket page to find out the current dates and times for our training sessions.
At all levels in the club we use Pitchero to manage training and fixtures. With this app parents can see dates and times of fixtures, can set their child’s availability and confirm their selection. The app also handles match fees and social events within the club.
Download the Pitchero app
Preston Nomads club page on Pitchero
To make your child available for selection on Pitchero, follow these steps:
Setting your child’s availability for a fixture/training session date helps the club prepare for the event. This also allows the club to create a team selection based on your child’s availability.
Step-by-step guide:
- Open the Pitchero Club app
- Tap the ‘Schedule‘ icon
- Tap your child’s name at the top of the screen
- Locate an upcoming fixture or training session
- Tap ‘Set availability‘
- Select your child’s availability
- Available
- Unavailable
- Maybe
- Not set
- You can also add a note for the team admin by tapping ‘Add note‘
By following these steps, your child’s availability will be updated and visible to the team coach for selection.
To confirm your child’s selection on Pitchero, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Pitchero Club app
- Tap the ‘Schedule‘ icon
- Tap your child’s name at the top of the screen
- Tap ‘Respond to Selection‘
- Playing
- Not playing
- Not responded
By confirming your child’s selection, you are indicating that they will be available to play in the match and the coach can plan accordingly.
You can find more information below:
Players are expected to play at their own age groups. Sussex Pathway players can play up age groups and other players at the discretion of the age group coach in consultation with the Director of Junior Cricket.
Junior players are welcome and encouraged to participate in senior games. Junior players can participate in senior games from U13 age group and up (U12 with special permission if Sussex Pathway Player).
Senior captains selecting a junior who they haven’t seen play cricket before will coordinate with their age group manager to learn more about the player before selecting them in their playing XI.
The age group coaches will meet with the Director of Junior Cricket prior to Sussex Pathway trials (end of season) and suggest players who should be put forward to trial. The final say is with the Director of Junior Cricket.
Junior membership enquiries
Rosalind Eaton
Phone: 07876 565980
Email: juniors@preston-nomads.com