History

Mid Canterbury Cricket Association was founded in 1896 under the name The Ashburton County Cricket Association, although records document games have been played in the district since 1877. Mid Canterbury Cricket Association came into being following their centenary in 1996 and the district covers the region between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers and from the Southern Alps to the sea.

The senior representative team achieved national recognition in 2003/04 when they won the Hawke Cup, a trophy contested by all twenty three district associations within New Zealand. Home games are played at Ashburton Domain, renowned for its beautiful setting, surrounded by towering trees and a duck bedecked river. Not always the only ducks in evidence, sadly.

Junior representative teams are also selected annually, competing in Canterbury District tournaments, or the South Island tournament. In 2006/07 Mid Canterbury hosted the Canterbury Districts U17 Girls tournament, with games being staged on Ashburton Domain. Mid Canterbury will be hosting the Canterbury Districts U15 Girls Tournament in 2008/09. Other representative fixtures are played over the course of the season, with other club venues, Coldstream, Technical, Collegiate and Fairfield being accessed.

All the clubs have adult based teams and contest an Open Grade competition. The junior club sides also compete in a Mid Canterbury competition. The Ashburton College Cricket club enter two teams in a combined competition with South Canterbury based clubs and the 1st XI competes in the Christchurch Schools 1st XI league.

A major feature this season will be the introduction of a senior club twenty20 competition to be held at the Ashburton domain. A 6-a-side Company Twilight league is being planned for the New Year.

Mid Canterbury is a relatively small district, but we have long reaching plans in motion and our hopes are high for cricket in the district to receive the recognition it deserves. We would be happy for you to join us.