The Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association (BNJCA) (Association) exists to provide opportunities for young people living in north metropolitan Brisbane to play the game of cricket. Brisbane North is one of the largest junior cricket nurseries anywhere in the world and there are many junior cricket clubs. All of these clubs affiliate to the BNJCA to enable their young players to participate in an organized junior cricket competition.
The history of our organization traces back to 1972 when there was no organized competition for junior cricketers. Around this time, Cec Anstey, a member of Toombul District Cricket Club, started canvassing the idea of organized cricket for juniors with fellow member, Errold La Frantz.
Coincidentally, around this time, Cliff Christensen from North Star Sports Club wrote to Queensland Cricket enquiring about a junior cricket competition. He was directed to the Toombul Cricket Club where he, Cec Anstey and Errold La Frantz conceived the notion of an organized junior cricket competition.
A lot of has changed over the past thirty years. In season 1972/1973 in the Toombul Junior Cricket competition there were 15 Clubs with 33 teams with age groups, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Open. During the 1973/1974 season, the Brisbane Junior Cricket Association and the Queensland Junior Cricket Association (QJC) were formed.
In season 1974/1975, the Toombul group became Zone 1 and Valley/Norths Zone 2 commenced. The three men at the helm of Zone 2 were Rae Finlayson, Roger Harris and Laurie Harvey. In season 1997/98, a restructure took place in North Brisbane when Zone 1 and Zone 2 merged to form the Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association.
Nowadays, thousands of children in hundreds of clubs participate in organized local cricket competitions throughout Queensland. Every year, intra-state age championships and development carnivals are held in different locations to enable young cricketers to learn more about their sport and meet new people.
The BNJCA undertakes many tasks on behalf of its affiliated clubs. The information on our website is there to explain some of those things. We are happy to provide more information – just ask any of our Management Committee members.
On behalf of the BNJCA Management Committee
John Powell
President
Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association