The Port Douglas Mudrabs Cricket Club is making progress with their organisation with a committee ready to take the club into the future.

Club stalwart and president Steve Doble was delighted to be able to report that the ever enthusiastic Craig Bannister has been appointed Vice President and Steve's sure that he will bring a whole new energy. 

Sue Sorenson has again stood as Secretary, Simon Cody as Treasurer with Mat Muller coming on board to look after sponsorship and to run the canteen while Troy Shepherd will take on the Groundsman duties. 

Damien Darlington is looking after Juniors' development and Ben Vikiokorpi, who now has his Level 2 coaching badge, is the Coaching Co-ordinator and will coach the regional Under 16 and schools Under 16 teams.

"This is as strong a committee as we have ever had and with our finances given the boost last year to consolidate equipment and facilities, we are looking forward to a strong consolidation at both Junior and Senior levels," Steve said. 

"Once we have made the progress I foresee in the senior C Grades teams we can look to move back up to at least B Grade and then maybe A Grade from a really firm base."

Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia are now supporting nationwide what the Muddies' coaching teams have had in place for the last two seasons.  With Daniel Freebody as the Cricket Development Officer for CFN everyone is looking to get juniors into cricket at both schools and clubs.

The School Blitz programme on 27th to 31st August is supported by MILO, and the Muddies own Damien Darlington will be running the programme at every school in the region from Mt Molloy, Julatten, Port Douglas, Mossman, St Augustines, Miallo, Wonga, Daintree Village and Alexander bay in Cape Tribulation. 

This programme involves bat and ball fun activities to create interest in cricket prior to sign on weekend 1st September (second chance sign on 22nd Sept).  Sign On day this year is the same for the whole region and the Far North will enjoy a discounted entry fee of $80 (usually $120) because of the travelling expenses.

As well as the Schools Blitz, the 'Come and Try' Junior programme for after school is going to be run from 3rd to 21st September.  This is designed for both parents and kids and offers a really good social introduction to the game.

When the Junior season gets going The Muddies will be running Under 12, 14 and 16s this year which again is a positive move forward with the addition of the Under 14 age group. 

Under 14s and Under 16s will play in a competition to prepare them for their introduction into the senior game but the Under 12s will play only friendlies to help them have some fun and enjoy the participation without any pressure.

During the first week of October there will be two coaching clinics, one in Tolga for the Under 14s and the other in Cairns for the Under 16s.  Details will follow on The Newsport as soon as confirmed.

"Cricket is still the lowest cost non-contact participation sport in Australia," Steve said. 

"A strong Junior section is our continued ambition through our schools and after school programmes and with our plans for making the seniors a powerful springboard to the highest levels of cricket, we're looking forward to great year...Go the Muddies!".