It is with sadness that I inform you of the passing of Gordon Blackwood. A former member of Lennox CC in the 60s and 70s. Gordon umpired with his friend Tom McCara for many years in the Glasgow League and was described by Derk Neil from Irvine as ‘a true friend of cricket in the west’. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Western District Cricket Union
Welcome to the Western District Cricket Union website. The Union organises and promotes cricket to half the population of Scotland, from Dumfries & Galloway in the south-west, up the west coast, and across the central belt to the Forth Valley. We co-ordinate with the West District Junior Cricket Union, local authorities and Cricket Scotland to encourage youth development and provide a structured developmental pathway with the aim of allowing the game to flourish and grow at all levels. From the Premier Division to the Greenwood Trophy, the Union provides competitions for all its member clubs, from 50-over Saturday cricket to competitive T20 competitions.
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Latest news and notices
- Gordon Blackwood – Lennox CC (19th October 2020)
- Prestwick CC sponsored walk on behalf of the Brain Tumour Charity (20th September 2020)
A terrific effort!
Walkers from Prestwick Cricket Club covered a total of 1117 miles on behalf of the Brain Tumour Charity raising in the process £3000 with hopefully a top up to take it to £4000. Prestwick CC thank everyone of our members who participated and especially all clubs, members and people who donated to this cause..
- Covid 19 Cricket Scotland club update, 10 September 2020 (11th September 2020)
Please see below the most recent update from Cricket Scotland.
“Following yesterday’s Scottish Government announcement, Cricket Scotland has engaged with sportscotland to determine any changes required to our current guidance.
“We are pleased to announce that outdoor cricket guidance has not been affected by yesterday’s announcement and the guidance issued on 24th August remains current.
“Cricket Scotland plans to issue guidance for indoor activity in the near future. Indoor activity is more complicated, particularly in terms of group numbers permitted to play as this will vary and will be dependent on the type and size of the indoor facility.
“Thank you for your patience and please continue to enjoy cricket activity whilst staying safe.”
Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator
- Cricket Scotland West Regional Participation Manager – Tim Hart (4th September 2020)
Please see a final note below from Tim on his departure from the role of West Regional Participation Manager. The WDCU thank Tim for his commitment to the role for the last nine years and wish him every success the future. Please note Tim’s new contact details.
“It is with very heavy heart that I am getting in contact to inform you that I am leaving Cricket Scotland, after nine years – with my post being made redundant, as part of Cricket Scotland’s Reset Plan. I will be leaving as soon as my time on the Furlough Scheme ends, at the start of September.
“Please could you remove timhart@cricketscotland.com and my work number (07825-172346) from your contact lists – and add Head of Development Nicola Wilson (nicolawilson@cricketscotland.com and 07891-408915) as your new first point of contact for Cricket Scotland.
“I remain involved in sport as a volunteer at my local club – and I am continuing in my role as a coach within the Western Warriors Youth set up. My updated contact details are timhart@btinternet.com and 07753-987286.
“I have always felt a great sense of pride to work for Cricket Scotland – and I would like to thank all of you for your support of me, of cricket and of Cricket Scotland during my time with the organisation.”
- Prestwick CC – Sponsored walk on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity (3rd September 2020)
Great to see the members of Prestwick CC supporting this great charity. Please see info on the sponsored walk they are undertaking and it would be great if cricket fans in the west help out where they can.
‘Thanks for showing an interest in sharing our current charity walk. Below gives info on our aims. We are planning to collectively walk 1000 miles in two weeks. Monday 31st August to Monday 14th September.
“We have had a great start in our charity challenge. As such we have decided to walk that little bit further, 1,000 miles! We will walk the distance to various cricket grounds throughout the UK, including Meikleriggs where we won the CSL Grand final three years ago today. We have 27 members taking part in the challenge and they would like to thank all those who have donated so far. We are 33% of the way to our target. For those that wish to donate to the cause please follow the link below.”
- Cricket Scotland – Regional Series T20 Blitz, 2020 (3rd September 2020)
Good news for cricket lovers in the west!! There will be some competitive cricket to follow in September. Please see press release regarding the Regional Series from Cricket Scotland.
Regional Series T20 Blitz confirmed for 2020
Cricket Scotland can today confirm a revised men and women’s Regional Series will take place this September across Scotland.
The Regional Series is Scotland’s premier domestic competition for the most talented cricketers in the country across the men’s and women’s game. It features three teams in the men’s competition; Eastern Knights, Caledonian Highlanders and Western Warriors, and two teams in the women’s; Eagles (representing the east of Scotland) and Stormers (representing the rest of Scotland).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the fixtures will take place behind-closed-doors.
Fixtures
Sunday 13th September: Highlanders vs. Knights (Forthill, two T20 matches)
Sunday 13th September: Eagles vs. Stormers (Lochside, two T20 matches)
Sunday 20th September: Warriors vs. Highlanders (Titwood, two T20 matches)
Sunday 20th September: Stormers vs. Eagles (Hamilton Crescent, two T20 matches)
Saturday 26th September: Knights vs. Warriors (Grange Loan, two T20 matches)
Sunday 27th September: Men’s final (Titwood)
- Greenwood Cup 2019 – Final – Victoria v Dean Park (3rd September 2020)
Those of you with good memories will remember that the Greenwood Cup final of 2019 was ever played due to poor weather. Both clubs agreed to have another go at it again last night at Titwood. Unfortunately the weather won again and no play was possible.
As there is no likelihood of the game being played safely again this season the WDCU CMC has declared that Victoria and Dean Park will be joint winners of the 2019 Greenwood Cup.
- COVID-19 Cricket Scotland club update, 24 August 2020 (26th August 2020)
Please see below an update on a safe return to cricket from Cricket Scotland:
Following last Thursday’s announcement by the Scottish Government, please note changes to our Return to Cricket Guidance which can be accessed on our website HERE.
Please note that a number of restrictions remain in force, for example around shared travel and physical distancing before and after training and matches.
Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator
- Cricket Scotland – staff information (20th August 2020)
Please see a recent staffing message from Cricket Scotland’s CEO Gus Mackay:
“Cricket Scotland and the cricket community have faced many challenges over the past six months and will continue to do so over the short, medium and long term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience, support and understanding through what has been a challenging time for us all involved in cricket. To finally get club cricket going has been a welcome relief to us all.
“Over the last six months we have reviewed the organisations operations and implemented a Reset Plan to protect the business going forward. We have seen a substantial reduction in income from our commercial and funding partners which has forced us to look at our cost base and make some difficult decisions.
“Whilst we have been able to take advantage of the Furlough Scheme, unfortunately we have had to make five positions within Cricket Scotland redundant. The roles affected are in the areas of Participation, High Performance and Performance Pathway.
“Therefore in the short term our staff who are full time and those returning from Furlough on a part-time basis will be working with you and taking on additional responsibilities. Once our income streams for 2021 are confirmed and budgets approved we will revisit our structures to best support the game.
“The key points of contacts are as follows:
Nic Wilson – Head of Development (formerly Participation)
David Bordes – Workforce Development Manager
Rosy Ryan – Women & Girls Development Manager
Ammar Ashraf – Community Engagement Manager
Barry McGeachy – Disability Cricket Development Officer
Tony McKenna – Development Officer, Aberdeen City & Shire
Alex Green – Development Officer, Highlands
Paul Macari – Head of Operations
Gordon Drummond – Performance Pathway Manager
David Johnson – Financial Controller“If you wish to contact any of the above please visit our website for further details.”
- COVID-19 Cricket Scotland club update, 7 August 2020 (8th August 2020)
Please see the most recent update from Cricket Scotland regarding a safe return to cricket. We can now look forward to some inter-club games over the coming weeks. Let’s hope the weather plays ball.
Local inter-club fixtures to resume from Monday 10th August 2020
Cricket Scotland is delighted to announce the resumption of local inter-club fixtures (both adult and junior), subject to certain restrictions, with effect from Monday 10th August 2020. Cricket Scotland is grateful to the Scottish Government and sportscotland for their help in, and approval of, this very positive step.
Detailed guidance appears on the Cricket Scotland website which must be followed. The key issues for clubs to consider, over and above those applying to the current intra club games, in playing local inter-club fixtures include: –
- Recording of all participants’ contact details
- travel to and from the ground: and
- minimising any group gatherings before, during and after the match.
The full guidance for clubs can be found HERE.
Additionally, club players and officials are encouraged to read this short online e-learning course which provides general information on staying safe and specific information on inter-club fixtures. The course can be found HERE.
The expectation is that the matches will be played within localised clusters of clubs – some matches of that nature have already been provisionally arranged by the Regional Associations or by clubs themselves. The opportunity exists, under the guidance, for clubs which are some distance from others to play matches but subject to the specific travel requirements laid down. The Regional Associations are able to advise clubs on the extent of localised clusters.
Clubs are reminded that the Club and members must be aware of and able to adapt to changes in guidance at short notice, for example, in the event of a local lockdown.
Clearly this resumption is hugely welcome but it must take place with suitable caution in the continuing pandemic, particularly in the light of fresh outbreaks in certain parts of the country.
Special guidance is being considered by the relevant Regional Associations and Cricket Scotland for clubs in Aberdeen itself and will be communicated in the next few days.