Following a very productive feedback meeting this morning between ACC 3 captains, players and a selection of the club executive we have highlighted some points specifically relating to team ACC 3 that may not have been communicated to the players. I will highlight these points below and hope that this will help the players understand what is being attempted by Adamstown Cricket Club in the creation of team 3.

ACC 3 is different from the other ACC teams. In fact, it is different from any other team in the LCU. It was created in response to a need for greater participation by players regardless of ability or availability. The idea was to allow players, who may not have the time to commit to many games, the chance to perform. It was also hoped that it would allow players of all abilities to have the enjoyment of bowling and batting in a league game where before no opportunity existed.  The function of ACC 3 is to give all players a chance to bat and bowl whenever possible, regardless of the effect that this will have on the result of the game. This single aspect needs to be understood by those who chose to play for ACC 3.

It is not primarily set up to win games. This is what ACC 1 and ACC 2 will hope to do. In the future years if there is demand for another competitive team as our club grows we may set up a 4th team but right now ACC has only 2 teams dedicated to full competitive cricket and they are ACC 1 and ACC 2. If this is the type of cricket that you would like, then you must approach team 1 and team 2 captains, perform well in training and perform well in competitive games when your chance arrives. 

Even though the ethos of ACC 3 is concentrated on maximum participation this does not mean that you should be any less committed to trying your best when the chance comes along. Casual behavior when a player is obviously not trying is not to be welcomed as this lets down your team mates and ruins the game for all. Try your best when you have the chance. We welcome effort and endeavor and everyone should be praised for 100% effort regardless of the result.

This approach to team 3 has some very unique effects on the practical running of the game by the captain and vice captain. ACC executive committee has laid down some very strict rules to the captains and this has been cemented today with even clearer guidelines. Players are asked to respect the captains at all times and understand that these rules have been handed down to them by the committee and they are bound to attempt to comply with them even if it goes against natural cricketing wisdom regarding the winning of games. Again, participation is the reason for ACC 3 existence.  Please keep this in mind at all times and be proud of it. It is something very special, unique and worthy. The specifics of how this will work in practice are below. Please help out the captains at all times and take their decisions with good grace. When you win, it will be even sweeter to know you have done so as a true team.

1. Bowlers will be given a maximum spell of 3 overs regardless of how well they have bowled. Do not be offended when the captains are forced to give you a rest.  They have the opportunity of bringing you back when everyone else has had their turn. Stay sharp in the field until then and do your club proud by supporting all the other bowlers as they have supported you.

2. Batting order will be rotated between games. Do not be offended if you scored well in the previous game and see someone else put ahead of you in the batting order the next week. This is not a reflection of how good the captain thinks you are. It is just his attempt to give everyone a turn. Remember this rule has been sent down to the captain by the executive committee, it is not his personal choice.

3.  There will be no limit on how many runs a batsman can get or how long a batsman is allowed to stay in for. This was agreed upon by the feedback group and we hope you all have the opportunity to score big when you get the chance. This might well affect how much opportunity the other players have in batting on that specific game but this will hopefully be addressed by the captains in the following games. If a player consistently scores big he will more than likely be asked to play on the competitive teams if he is more comfortable there. 

4. There will be no 12th man. From now on when you are told that you are playing you will be playing on the 11 man team. Nobody will be asked to be 12th man on the day. If anyone volunteers do come down on their own initiative to help out with scoring/umpiring then this is welcomed but if your name is on the team sheet you will be playing. Please understand that this means you will be expected to lend a hand with scoring (find out how to do it; google!) or umpiring or setting up the tea/drinks. A lot of work goes into producing a cricket game and the captains need your support and help. The captains of all teams will issue you with a task to bring food/drink for each home game. It is vital to the management of home games that you bring what is asked of you and lend a hand with the setting up of the pitch before a home game. Failure to lend a hand or bring food when asked will be deemed a breach of the rules of membership of the club and repeat offenders will be asked to meet with the executive committee.

5. The captains will be responsible for managing the fielding positions etc. The team needs to respect their decisions regardless of whether they agree or not. If a player feels he has a good idea he should approach the captain with it and the captain will chose to act on it or not. The player must accept this. 11 captains on one team leads to anarchy and chaos and reflects badly on the club.  On-field dissent will be reported back to the executive committee for consideration. The captain is obviously going to make decisions that everyone won't always agree with but it is vital that this is not shown to the opposition. ACC teams are renowned across the LCU for their united team spirit and this is the envy of all the clubs we play against. ACC 3 is to be no different. 

6. English is to be the language of the club. As we are a multicultural club and welcome everyone in our spirit of 

"Cricket for all " we must refrain from using language that excludes some of our fellow team mates. The use of another language can also, at times, lead to misunderstandings with the opposition that can needlessly heighten tension between the teams and can unfortunately affect our reputation as being a fair and friendly place to play. 

7. All players are urged to update their availability on the ACC website https://adamstowncc.secure-club.com/availability/default.aspx weeks in advance. I have already done my own availability for the whole year as have many players. If you can do this now it would greatly help the captains. Availability will be considered up to the Thursday before a game. The captains will then pick from this pool of players based on the selection criteria laid out above regarding maximum participation to give as many people a chance as possible. The position of Captain and Vice Captain is not dependent on their own performance in ACC 3. These players will play in each game to ensure that the club's interests are met in each game. Players should not be upset if they are left out of a team in preference to a captain or vice captain. This job carries a lot of work and responsibility and they have been asked by the ACC executive committee to play whenever they possibly can regardless of their on field performance. If more than 11 players make themselves available the captain will pick a team based on who has had an opportunity in the past, to ensure everyone gets as fair a chance as possible. as stated before, this is not based on ability. If you notify the captain of your availability after the Thursday before a game you cannot be assured of their consideration. They may ask you to play but preference will be give to those that have notified the captains before the Thursday. As for all teams including ACC 1 and ACC 2 players should avoid late cancellations wherever possible to be fair to their captains and their fellow team mates. We understand that emergencies happen and sometimes this is unavoidable but this may affect the selection of repeat offenders. 

The above rules have been sent down to the captains by the executive committee following the AGM 2012. They will be now known as the ACC 3 ETHOS, ie ACC 3 spirit. This ethos will be sent out again with every team-sheet and will form part of the pre-match meetings so that any new players that arrive will understand how different this team is. We would urge you all as team 3 players to help the captains by explaining this ethos to the newer players or to players who seem not to understand it yet.

I thank you for your time in reading through this long document and wish you all the luck and fun in the world this season. Make us proud.

Paul O'Boyle

Cricket Development Officer

Adamstown Cricket Club