Adelaide University Cricket Club

Welcome to The Blacks - The home of the Adelaide University Cricket Club.  For all current, past or potential future Blacks please see the information below which will give you the details of what it means to be a Black, what you can expect, and what is expected of you.  

OUR PURPOSE

To develop and present opportunities to the students, graduates and staff of the University of Adelaide and the wider community to play, support and enjoy the game of cricket across all levels of competition.

OUR VALUES

TRUST  -  RESPECT  -  COLLABORATION  -  INTEGRITY  -  EXCELLENCE  -  INCLUSIVENESS -  INNOVATIVE

Everybody is eligible to play for The Blacks.  We area University club that is open to all cricketers - student or otherwise. Players join us from a variety of sources; some from overseas, country areas or inter-state students from the University of Adelaide.  We also recruit players locally from Adelaide schools or clubs who are looking for new opportunities to play at a Premier Cricket club to progress their career, or those who want to join a young, sociable club based in the CBD area. 

What we offer all players is high-quality coaching and top-class training facilities, and a great place to continue their cricket career.  We have had many aspiring cricketers join the club and go on to achieve higher honours – most recently Jake Weatherald, Joe Mennie and Nick Winter who have all had success with the South Australian Redbacks after playing with the Blacks.  There are other examples of players overlooked at their grade clubs that have joined the Blacks and improved their game out of all recognition. 

Whilst all players love the experience of playing cricket for The Blacks and playing at University Oval, the AUCC expects an appropriate degree of commitment from its players. Our senior sides are expected to train hard, to enjoy doing so and to seek to improve their cricket.

OUR CRICKET

SACA PREMIER CRICKET

AUCC compete in the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Premier Cricket Competitions, the highest level of club cricket in South Australia.  

Premier Cricket has four men's grades and two women's.  AUCC play in all four men's grades and in the second grade of the Women's competition.  

As a member of our club you will have the opportunity compete for a place in the Premier Cricket squads and potentially play with some of our professional players.

Our Director of Cricket is Leo Panzarino and our Head Coach is Michael Silvy.  

ADELAIDE TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION

We also have five (4 men's & 1 women's) teams that compete weekly in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association (ATCA), which is competitive community level cricket.  

SACA SUPER CRICKET

Super Cricket is the entry level competition that our Rock Up Cricket teams compete in.  Matches are played year round on Sunday's (T20) and during the cricket season on Wednesday's (T12). 

WOMEN'S CRICKET

We have two women's cricket teams, one that competes in the SACA Premier Cricket Second Grade and one that competes in the ATCA first Grade competition.  

TRAINING

Due to the number of teams that we run (14 in 2023-24) training is scheduled across each night of the week for various squads.  On joining the club you will be streamed into a squad that we think best suits your ability.  

Training starts at 5.30pm and will consist of nets practice, fielding drills and match specific training.  Players are expected to arrive on time, wear cricket/sports clothing, have their own equipment and display a positive attitude.  

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

Pre-season training will typically begin at the end of August or beginning of September.  Weekend sessions will take place at the University of Adelaide Playing Fields at West Beach.  We will also host at least one New Players Day where new players are invited to come out for the first time and to meet squad players and coaches and to take part in a training session. 

Other midweek sessions will also be held and details will be posted on our social media channels closer to the times.  

For the 2023-24 season, Adelaide University Cricket Club will field teams in the following competitions

Men’s

SACA Premier Cricket 1st - 4th Grade

ATCA B2, B3, LO1 and LO4

SACA Super Cricket  Division 2

Women’s

SACA Premier Cricket 2nd Grade

ATCA 1st Grade

Veteran's

SAVCA Over 50s, Divisions 1 & 2

SAVCA Over 60s

AUCC 1st Grade Squad 2019/20

We currently run twelve men’s teams throughout the season, with our first to fourth grade teams playing in SACA Premier Cricket competitions in 2-day, one-day and T20 competitions.   We also have 4 men's teams in the ATCA Cricket Competition, two Veteran's teams and two Super Cricket teams.  

The AUCC Men's Pathway has a direct link between our squads that allows for players to progress from Rock Up Cricket through to our Elite High-Performance Squad.  Having so many teams and grades allows players to find a level that suits their current ability, while always striving to play at a higher level.  

We have teams for all levels of players, from established A Grade cricketers, to aspiring young cricketers across 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade  looking to improve their game and play at A Grade or higher, while we have teams in ATCA competitions competing on a weekly basis throughout the season.  Whatever your level you can find a team at The Blacks to suit your aspirations.   

Join a successful women and girls program with a record in developing new players and catering for all ages, backgrounds, skill levels and playing aspirations.

In 2018, Cricket Australia awarded AUCC the Premier Cricket Club of the Year Award at the Cricket Australia Sport for All Community Cricket Awards, recognising that "AUCC is committed to establishing a strong women’s program focussed on learning, improving and retention. The club has a firm focus on inclusion demonstrated by their commitment to introducing international students from non-traditional cricket countries to the game.”

We currently field two teams – our SACA Women’s 2nd Grade side, who play in both the SACA Premier Cricket T20 and 40 over competitions, and a Women and girls development team playing in the ATCA Competition (T20 format).

Pre-season is usually from August/September, with matches played on Sunday afternoons from October to March. Training is generally on Tuesdays or Wednesdays throughout the season (at University Oval nets from 5.30pm). Home games are usually played at University No 1 or University No 2.

Experience isn’t necessary – we’ve taught players who’ve never even watched a game of cricket before! AUCC have all you need to learn and grow your game, with access to excellent turf and hardwicket training facilities, dedicated coaching, and a team playing kit for new players. 

The Women’s ATCA side is the ideal place for beginners and new players wanting to learn basic skills and experience playing games in a supportive and fun environment. In 2017-18, the SACA Women’s 2nd Grade team won the T20 Competition and are looking to go the next step in the 40 over competition having finished runner-up in the last two years.

AUCC also supports the Strikers Girls Cricket League and have opportunities for juniors under 18 wanting to learn the game.  

Our goal is to keep growing our women’s program, and one day play in the SACA Premier 1st Grade competition.

 

All players are expected to purchase Blacks Official match & training gear. 

It is expected that, as a minimum, all players have the following essential Blacks kit;

- Match Shirt (Long or short sleeves)

- Training Shirt

- Playing Cap

For Men's 1st & 2nd Grade additional requirements;

- One Day Match Shirt (Black)

- One Day Pants (Black)

For Women additional requirements;

- Match Shirt (Black) 2nd Grade squad only.