The 2000 cricket season was the most exciting since the inception of the ICA, with numerous achievements, both on and off the field, having been accomplished. The following are the highlights of the past year:

• Launch of the Youth Development Programme.

• Visit of ICC Chief Executive David Richards.

• Completion of the new practice facility in Tel Aviv.
• Inauguration of three new Astroturf pitches.
• Appointment of a full time national coach.
• Two victories at the European Championships.
• Lod Lions win national league.
• Laws of cricket translated into Hebrew.

In March 2000 the ICA officially launched a Development Programme, aimed at attracting the countries youth to cricket. Although the benefits of the programme will only start be felt in 3 or 4 years, that it will succeed is already without doubt. Just one year after the launch of the youth development programme, the future of the local game has been secured. Our goal of having 300 boys and girls playing cricket by the end of 2001 has already been reached, and the next target of 500 young players by 2003 has been set.

The programme’s success is largely due to the hard work of ICA Youth Development Director George Sheader and his dedicated team of coaches. Under very trying circumstances, these coaches spend long hours cultivating a love for the game of cricket. The ICA also extends it’s thanks to the ECC Development Office at Lords, and Ian Stuart, Adam Cale and Alison Brown in particular, for their assistance, guidance and support.

The ICA was proud to host the Chief Executive of the ICC, David Richards, who visited Israel in September 2000. It was indeed an honour for the ICA that the head of world cricket should find the time to spend three days with us. His official duties included presenting the prizes at the 2^nd ICA Youth Tournament held at Hadar Yosef, Tel Aviv; opening the two-net facility, also at Hadar Yosef, on the same day; and inaugurating the Astroturf wicket laid in Ashdod. Sky TV was present at Hadar Yosef to give full TV coverage to both the youth tournament and the opening of the nets. The worldwide exposure was unprecedented with Israel cricket, as a model of the ICC Global Development Programme, being screened to all corners of the globe. The ninety-second clip was screened six times on the main news broadcast.

During discussions held with David, great emphasis was put on the place Israel has to play in the globalisation of the game, and especially Israel’s full participation in the Development Programme.

The ICA enjoys excellent relations with the management of the Hadar Yosef Athletics Stadium, located a few minutes drive from central Tel Aviv. The stadium is the premier sports facility in Israel, boasting world class facilities for athletes and spectators alike. After lengthy negotiations, the stadium management agreed to the ICA establishing a two-net Astroturf facility within the stadium grounds. Weekly national, as well as junior and individual club practices are held in the nets.

Coinciding with the visit of David Richards, a match between an Ashdod X1 and an Indian Embassy X1 was held to inaugurate the first ever Astroturf wicket to have been laid in Israel, at the picturesque ground in Ashdod. In March 2001, the number of Astroturf wickets tripled, with two further pitches laid in the desert towns of Be'er Sheva and Dimona.

Roland Lefebvre resigned as coach of the National Squad at the beginning of the year to enable himself to captain the Dutch side in their effort to qualify for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. The ICA wishes Roland the best of luck, and thanks him for the outstanding job he did as coach from 1997 to 1999.

David Houghton, former Zimbabwean captain and coach, joined us as coach during 2000, visiting Israel to hold coaching sessions, as well as accompanying the team to Scotland for the ECC Championships. As one of the world’s foremost coaches, it was indeed a tremendous honor to have David as national coach, with his expertise and professionalism evident throughout his tenure. David relinquished the post to take up a position in his native Zimbabwe.

In late 2000, a strategic decision was made to employ, for the first time, a full time National Coach, based in Israel. This is a monumental step for Israeli cricket. Herschel Gutman took up his post as National Director of Coaching in March 2001. His duties include coaching the full national squad, the U15 national team, as well as spending each day in a different town or school coaching the youth and promoting cricket across Israel.

In July 2000 the Israel team, captained by Alan Moss, participated in the third European Cricket Championships held in Glasgow. The performance of the team was at times outstanding, whilst at other times very disappointing. Victories over France and Greece were canceled out by defeats to Gibraltar, Portugal and Germany.

Whilst the batting was generally poor throughout the tournament, there were wonderful performances by the bowlers. Isaac and David Massil were again superb sharing the new ball, whilst young fast bowler Raymond Aston and debutante spinner Steven Shein each finished the tournament with nine wickets.

Man of the series was unquestionably Paul Amit whose display behind the stumps was magnificent. Hi world-breaking performance of seven catches against France was truly remarkable, and earned him the Man of the Match award.

The ICA continues to run two senior leagues, boasting 16 teams divided into two divisions. A knockout cup competition is also held. For the fourth consecutive season, Lod Lions finished champions of Division 1. Young Ashdod gained promotion after finishing top of Division 2, whilst Ashdod ‘A’ defeated Netanya CC to win the ICA Cup. Complimenting the official league program, a Friday league continues to run through the summer, catering for players looking for a more social game, as opposed to the competitive nature of league matches.

LAWS OF CRICKET TRANSLATED INTO HEBREW

Cricket in Israel cannot run without the excellent and hard work done by the Israel Umpires Association. Apart from providing umpires to stand in all league games, seminars and training sessions are continuously led, in an effort to introduce new umpires to the rules of cricket, and to upgrade the knowledge of existing umpires. ECC Umpiring Representative, Ken Amos, visited Israel from England in March 2001 to conduct a number of such seminars across the country. One of the most significant projects undertaken last year by the ICA was the translation of the rules of cricket. This is sure to improve the standard of umpiring, and clearly illustrates the giant steps cricket has taken to become a truly Israeli sport, and not just the domain of immigrants.

Despite the tremendous strides made in promoting the game, improving playing and practice facilities, and raising the standard of the local game, mammoth difficulties and obstacles continue to exist. All things considered, it is a remarkable achievement that over 200 games of cricket were played in Israel over the course of the year. This success is a tribute not only to the ICA, but also to the dedicated players, umpires and supporters who put in so much effort to ensuring Israeli cricket continues to flourish.

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