ABOUT US
The Jika Cricket Association was originally founded in 1922 and is now known as North Metro Cricket Association.
The Jika Cricket Association was made up of clubs that have been drawn from the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The Association was first mooted in 1921, prompted by the secretary of the Wood Street (Preston) Club, W. Kerr.
Kerr’s club regularly played social matches against other local clubs. An initial meeting between representatives of five clubs made preliminary arrangements for an association, to be called the Preston District Industrial Cricket Association.
Mr Kerr chased other local clubs to invite them to join the proposed new association.
The first Annual General Meeting was held on July 12th 1922, where representatives of four clubs resolved that the Association be formed, and that it be known as the Jika Cricket Association.
By the start to the Association’s second season there were 12 competing clubs, drawn from Northcote, Preston and Reservoir. The third season saw further expansion to 14 clubs, which required the competition to be split into two sections. Through the years, over 250 clubs have played in the Jika Cricket Association.
The North Metro Cricket Association is now one of the largest and most competitive in Victoria with in excess of 2000 players taking the field each week in competitions for all ages.
OUR COMPETITION
Most grounds and affiliated clubs reside predominately in the North of Metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria.
The Association is based at Landra Avenue Community Hall (Burland House) in the suburb of Keon Park.
NMCA runs four distinct competitions with all matches played on synthetic wicket.
The season starts on the first Saturday of October with the Junior competition generally starting the following week.
Four piece balls are used in our top grades, with a two piece ball used in our lower grades and junior competition.
Thirty Two clubs are affiliated with NMCA, twenty eight entering senior teams and twenty four entering junior teams.
Most matches are held on Saturdays with up to two Sundays required in the home and away season. Junior matches are predominately held on Friday nights with U/11’s on Monday Nights. Senior and juniors final series are played on Saturday and Sunday in March of each year.
The association executives is made up of ten elected members from Clubs, and are voted to two year terms.
OFFICE BEARERS: 2023-24
NMCA Executive
| President | Matthew O’Brien | 0417 352 058 | [email protected] |
| Vice President | Paul Lewis | 0437 040 435 | [email protected] |
| Vice President | Lenore Smith | [email protected] | |
| Finance Manager | Ian Giddons | 0439 314 353 | [email protected] |
NMCA Operations Managers
| General Manager | Neil Riley | 0448 513 689 | [email protected] |
| Women’s Manager | Lenore Smith | [email protected] | |
| Junior Manager | Greg Camilleri | [email protected] | |
| Junior Rep Co-Ordinator | Matthew O’Brien | [email protected] | |
| Umpires Manager | Wayne Fyffe | 0434 050 253 | [email protected] |
| Media & Digital Co-Ordinator | Jess Hollingworth | [email protected] |