The Districts Cricket Association offers junior-age Canberra sides the opportunity to compete against Sydney’s best young players each year, and providing this chance to Goulburn players could prove beneficial, according to Goulburn District Junior Cricket Association president Rob Jolliffe.

“We’re allowing kids the opportunity to trial in the Canberra side, which is a great way to show kids a pathway to elite cricket,” he said. 

“We’re very excited that kids from Goulburn are given that opportunity that has never been granted before.” 

The opportunity arose due to changes in the zoning across NSW. Goulburn was one of the areas which was heavily impacted, and the Southern zone that it was initially a part of was divvied into two sections. 

This resulted in Goulburn becoming a part of the new Southern Districts zone, and led to some changes in pathway cricket. 

“To ensure there’s a proper pathway for junior cricketers in a rep cricket sense, the powers that be decided that kids from the region would be allowed to trial for the Canberra rep side,” Jolliffe explained. 

This opportunity will not impact representative cricket in Goulburn as it currently stands, Jolliffe said. 

“There will still be a local Goulburn representative team as there always has been,” he said. 

“But for the first time, the kids will be given the opportunity to show their skills in the big smokes, so to speak.” 

On a personal note, Jolliffe is excited about the opportunity and believes that “any opportunity our kids are given to show their skills is a great opportunity and I hope they do themselves and Goulburn very proud.” 

“For those that are given the opportunity, make the most of it and give it your best shot.”

The players who trial for the ACT sides will be selected from the upcoming Winter Development Program Days, which take place on June 14 and July 19 at the Tully Park Indoor Centre from 6pm.