Junior Shield Carnival
A Brief History

(researched for the VMCU by Josh Browne - Jan '08)

In season 1978/79, a number of metropolitan cricket associations decided to establish an inter association competition for Under 12 cricketers. The aim was to create a feeder opportunity for the already existing U14 R. M. Hatch Shield and the U16 W. J. Dowling Shield. It was felt that there were many talented U12 cricketers whose development would be enhanced by competing at a representative level, thus better preparing them for the elite competitions in the higher age groups.

Founding members of the Inter Association Cricket Carnival were Ringwood District Cricket Association, Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association, Yarra Valley Cricket Association, Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association, Eastern Suburban Churches Cricket Association (now merged with ECA) and Essendon, Keilor, Broadmeadows Cricket Association (now NWCA).

In 1980-81 the IACC introduced an Under 14 competition, the aim of which was to give U14 players, who had not been selected in the R.M.Hatch Shield squads, an opportunity to play at a higher level of competitive cricket.

The then Cricket Union of Victoria recognised the value of the IACC U12 competition and in 1983 proposed the establishment of an all encompassing U12 competition. Association Delegates to the IACC  voted in favour of the establishment of the Keith Mitchell Shield, now the elite competition for under 12 boys and girls, who are considered to be the most outstanding players in their respective associations. 16 Associations entered teams in the first year of the Keith Mitchell Shield which was won by Ringwood DCA in January 1984.

At the same time, the IACC decided to continue with its U14 competition and to introduce an Under 16 competition which created the opportunity for players, who had not been selected for W. J. Dowling squads, to represent their associations.

The IACC later, in 1988, established another Under 12 competition for those players who had not been fortunate enough to be selected to represent their association in the Keith Mitchell Shield squads.

The parallel competitions of District (now Premier) Clubs U16 Dowling Shield, Sub-District Clubs U14 Hatch Shield and CUOV (Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union) U12 Mitchell Shield and the IACC U16, U14 & U12 carnival, continued to flourish.

In 1992, the IACC was faced with the prospect of disbanding because of the introduction of new laws which made it necessary to become an incorporated body. As the IACC had been run on a shoestring budget, there were insufficient funds available to cover the cost of incorporation. Thanks to the generosity of the Victorian Cricket Association (now Cricket Victoria) and specifically CEO Ken Jacobs, the IACC received a one off grant of $1500 from the Lindsay Hassett Foundation. This generous support allowed the IACC to continue.

In 2003 the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union (VMCU) agreed to take over the activities of the IACC and establish the VMCU Shield Competition. That decision created the impetus for a remarkable growth in the number of teams and the stature of junior representative cricket in Melbourne and the surrounding area.

The introduction, by Cricket Victoria, of regional Under 16 and Under 14 competitions and the decision by Sub-District clubs to make the Hatch Shield an Under 15 competition, has resulted in the VMCU establishing an U16 turf competition (JIM Beitzel Shield)and an U16 synthetic competition, The Keith Mackay Cup, expanding the U14 Russell Allen Shield competition and increasing the number of teams entered in the U12 Keith Mitchell Shield and the U12 Josh Browne Plate.

There is every reason to believe that the VMCU will continue to grow in strength and recognition and that the generous support of Cricket Victoria and other sponsors will continue. Over the past 28 years, many individuals have contributed generously with their time, to keeping these competitions on track. To name but a few: Ian Speed & Kevin Noy (ESCCA), Brian Plumridge, Bill Dean, Timothy Court & Pat Meehan (RDCA), Ron Neville, Alan Bailey, Peter Heath & Sandra Berry (FTGDCA), Marlene Tate & Robert Sebbens (NWCA), Bruce Dowland (SDCCL). Plus many more, too many to mention.

The first set of rules for the Keith Mitchell Shield were written by Ray Kelsey (CUOV & South Melbourne CC), on an A5 sheet of paper.  The VMCU Now has a more formal publication which has been expanded to cover the management of 5 grades in a home and away & finals competition, played in just 2 weeks in January. It really is an impressive outcome for the efforts of a lot of dedicated people.

The 2007-08 season will see another increase in the number of U14 teams competing. The increase to 18 teams means that the format for U14 will now be the same as Mitchell Shield, U12s. Three geographic zones of 6 teams will play each other once in rounds of 5 home & away matches. The ladder positions 1-8 and 9-16 will then play quarter final matches to determine the final four in each group.

The teams finishing in the finals will play for the Keith Mitchell Shield and the Keith Mitchell Cup, in Under 12s. In U14s, the groups will compete for the Russell Allen Shield and the Des Nolan Cup.