Cricket
Fixtures for school cricket commence after Easter. Teams play each Saturday with friendly fixtures against schools across Northern Ireland. Friends’ School field five teams on a regular basis at 1st, U15, U14, U13 and U12 level. (see fixture list below)
Weekly after school practices are held for all teams throughout the season and these practices are open to all pupils. The school has two cricket pitches both of which have an artificial wicket. Indoor training is also accommodated through the provision of two indoor nets within the school Sportshall. Staff involved in cricket coaching are Mr Watson, Mr Briggs, Mr Williamson and Mr Monaghan. Frequently these practices are supplemented with coaching sessions run by NCU Cricket Development Officers or professionals from local cricket clubs, such as Lisburn and Derriaghy
In addition to the scheduled friendly fixtures all school cricket teams participate in the McCullough Cup and various National Cricket Union Schools’ Cup competitions. Draws for these competitions take place during the spring term and all players eagerly look forward to these games. Friends’ School has an excellent reputation in school cricket. The U15XI claimed the U15 School’s cup in 2017 and the U12XI won the Centenary cup in 2019.
Current pupils, Ross Glover, Edward Hall, John Hall and Carter Lunn are involved in NCU cricket pathways
Past pupils Peter Ferguson, Reece Malone and Michael Glass have represented the school at National Cricket Union, Irish Schools’ and Taverners level. Reece Malone and Peter Ferguson were selected for Ireland U15 Cricket Team. Former pupils continue to make headlines in the cricket world. Greg Thompson has now played at International level for Ireland. To date he is the youngest ever player to play for Ireland having been selected whilst in Year 13. It is also pleasing to see past pupils involved in local clubs in the Premier league.
Girls’ Cricket
Cricket for girls at Friends’ is a fast growing summer activity. The club is open to all girls from Years 8-14 and is now the most popular summer sport for girls being taught in PE class and games with the expert assistance of NCU coaches.
Head of PE, Mr Monaghan co-ordinates and coaches girls cricket and FSL is currently fielding eight teams. As well as the formal 1st XI and U15 cup teams, there are Year 8, 9 and 10 A and B teams as well as a Year 11 hardball team. Practice is on Tuesday after school while extra coaching and teaching takes place in Pe and Games.
The Year 8-10 teams played softball cricket and with fixtures against Wallace, Sullivan, BRA and Methody while the highlight for the Year 8s Year 9s and Year 10s is participating in the Super8 events hosted by the NCU at Friends’ . The U13 and U15 squad play at a Holywood CC organised event also in June.
In 2023 The 1st XI reached the final of the Schools Cup and the U15s the semi-final against Down High.
Also of note is the involvement in representative cricket for some of the girls. It was great to see Aoife Fisher playing in the Irish U19 World Cup in South Africa in January while Rebecca Lowe is in the Irish U15 and U17 training squads despite only being Year 9. Grace Wilson, Anna Monaghan and Livi Morrow are flying the flag for Friends at NCU U15s and U13s.
