Further Information : info@durhamcoastjuniorcricketleague.co.uk
J H Lowery JP
C T Jones JP
C BrammerYouth cricket has been played in the Durham Coast Cricket League for over 30 years, mainly due to the hard working efforts of so many member clubs and people, but probably no more so than the past League Chairman J.H. Lowery.
Rewards for such tremendous efforts by all those people, can be identified by the number of former Coast League juniors who have progressed to represent England at Under 19 level, or who have made first class debuts. No other local league can boast of such achievements.
We believe that our youngsters are an essential part of our member clubs, present and future success. The league will continue to provide youngsters with opportunities to develop their skills, through it’s organisational structure, irrespective of age, gender, or level of technical ability.
Administering any youth organisation in today’s society must undertake a number of additional requirements which are put in put in place to ensure the well-being of the people it strives to serve.
In 2005 The league adopted the ECBs. Safe Hands policy and appointed it’s own League Welfare Officer.
During the late sixties and early seventies, Alderman Cecil Ferens of Durham City invited a selected number of cricket clubs to participate in junior matches. Seaham Park, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, and Durham City were amongst the first to play these fixtures.
Prior to 1977 there was no competitive junior league cricket played in County Durham, the only outlet for young players was third team cricket, which was considered at that time, not to be in the young person’s best interest, as they were playing against adults and rarely devolving skills in batting and bowling.
It was without doubt the foresight and tenacity of the then League Chairman John Lowery, who was the driving force of junior players competing against each other in respective age groups, in organised competition. No other league in Durham had a junior set up.
Member clubs were encouraged to forge links with their local schools and communities, in an attempt to create an interest and encourage young people to come along and try the game. Within two years this policy began to bear fruit and in 1979 saw the inauguration of both Under 13s and 18s league representative sides.
On Tuesday July 31st 1979 the first representative fixture took place at Hetton Lyons against South Shields schools with Ian Hauxwell captaining the Coast League side, unfortunately this inaugural game was lost by 95runs.
Friday August 17th 1979 at Blaydon versus the Tyneside Senior League was the venue of our first under 18s fixture, this side was led by Ian McGrath. Having dismissed the opposition for 98 rain halted play with the Coast League being 47 for 3.
August 28th 1979 versus the Durham County League at Ryhope was another stepping stone in the continuing growth of the Durham Coast Cricket League. The Coast league captained by Tony Birbeck beating the opposition by 6wickets, with Keith Trotter taking 5-39 off 20overs.
Having created successful Under 13's and 18's it became increasingly obvious that there was an age group void to fill and on August 24th 1984 with the assistance of the late Peter Foster the Durham Senior League provided the Under 15's opposition. Philadelphia CC was the venue with the Coast League being captained by Duncan Forrest.
The early 80's saw a dramatic interest in junior cricket, with many clubs having youngsters eager to play in organised and competitive matches. Under the guidance of John Lowery and Cliff Jones, structures were put in place, which enabled the formation of Leagues at 13/15/18s.
The first League winners at Under 13s in 1984 were Ryhope and Silksworth who shared the League Championship. At Under 15s Ryhope were the first winners in 1986 as they were in the Under 18s in 1988.
A meeting of local cricket dignitaries involving John Lowery, Bob Jackson, Roy Coates and Peter Foster during the close season of 1989, saw the inauguration of the Just Sport Inter League Junior Competition sponsored by Ian Stoker. The Coast League have been winners of the prestigious tournament on several occasions.
By 1997 Colin Brammer had taken the reins of the Coast League Juniors with the League continuing to expand and develop at a great pace. Clubs whose home League had no junior set ups were allowed to join, Blackhall in 2004, Washington in 2005 and Wearmouth in 2007.
In 2002 another milestone was reached when together with the assistance of Ian Dawson they introduced the development of Under 11s cricket. Silksworth were the inaugural winners of this competition.
The Durham Coast League Junior Divisions continue to thrive and develop, at this point in time three of it’s member clubs have two teams in the same age group, another first in the history of the Durham Coast Cricket League.