Cricket is a popular summer sport for children and teenagers in the Sutherland Shire, with beginner programs, mixed junior competitions, girls-only teams and indoor cricket available locally.
Most outdoor junior competitions are played on Saturday mornings between September and March, with training generally held once during the week.
These introductory programs generally cater for children aged approximately 4 to 10. Sessions use soft or modified equipment and focus on batting, bowling, catching and basic game play.
Programs usually run for 60 to 90 minutes, with most equipment provided. Ages, days and locations vary between providers.
The Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association runs mixed competitions for boys and girls in:
For the 2026/27 season, age groups are based on the child’s age on 31 August 2026.
Younger divisions use shorter pitches, modified rules and age-appropriate equipment. Older players gradually progress towards traditional hard-ball cricket and longer matches.
Girls can play in the mixed competition or join the separate Girls Only competition.
Stage 1 generally suits newer players aged around 8 to 12, while Stage 2 is intended for older or more experienced girls. Clubs can help families determine the most suitable option.
Indoor cricket offers shorter, faster and all-weather games for children who prefer more continuous action or want additional practice.
Indoor junior cricket is available in Miranda through The Rec Club.
Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association has 10 affiliated clubs across the Shire. Training is generally held near each club’s home area, although competition games are played at grounds throughout the Sutherland Shire.
Not every club offers every age group, Cricket Blast program or Girls Only team. Before registering, families should compare available programs, training locations, fees, uniform inclusions and whether equipment can be borrowed.
Children can register individually and will generally be placed into a suitable team where places are available. Families do not need to organise a complete team.
For association-run competitions and programs, visit the Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association listing.
Registrations for the 2026/27 season are open through participating clubs.
The Junior Mixed and Girls Only competitions are currently scheduled to begin on Saturday 12 September 2026. Both competitions are scheduled to:
The SSJCA Cricket Blast Competition will run from Saturday 10 October to Saturday 12 December 2026, before resuming from Saturday 6 February to Saturday 27 February 2027. Games are played at Kareela Oval from 8am to 9am, with families registering through participating local cricket clubs.
Some clubs also offer separate Cricket Blast Skills programs for younger beginners. Dates, times and locations vary, so check directly with your preferred club for details.
Fees vary between clubs and age groups. Current advertised local prices range from approximately $100 for beginner programs to around $210 for older junior competitions.
Cricket Blast programs generally provide equipment. Children entering junior competition may need:
Some clubs provide shared team equipment or include a playing shirt and cap with registration. Check what is supplied before purchasing a full set of equipment.
Children interested in progressing beyond club cricket can pursue representative opportunities through the Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association.
For the 2026/27 season, boys’ representative trials were held on 3 and 17 May 2026. The Sutherland/St George girls’ Under 13 and Under 15 trial will be held on Monday 14 September 2026 at the Norm O’Neill Cricket Training Facility in Penshurst. Nominations for the girls’ trial closed on 7 August.
Dates for the 2027/28 representative season have not yet been announced. Families should begin checking SSJCA updates from early 2027 for boys’ trials and mid-2027 for girls’ trials.
Cricket can be affected by rain, ground closures and extreme heat. SSJCA may cancel an entire round, while some decisions are made for individual grounds or matches.
Before leaving home, check updates from your club, team manager and SSJCA. You can also use the Local Sports 4 Kids guide to kids’ sport cancellations in the Sutherland Shire to check council ground closures and find the appropriate wet-weather updates.
Cricket may suit children who:
Traditional cricket can involve periods of waiting while fielding or between batting turns. Children who prefer constant action may be better suited to starting with Cricket Blast or indoor cricket.
Check out the listings above and below to compare junior cricket clubs and programs across the Sutherland Shire.
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