1938-39

CRICKET
247
ORIGIN OF ARMY CRICKET ASSOCIATION
There is no record of any official body governing cricket in the
Army prior to the War. There is no trace of any meeting ; and
the system by which representative Army XI's were selected is
obscure. The War was scarcely over, however, before it was
realised how big a part games and sport would play in the post-War'
Army, and steps were taken early to set on foot the necessary re-
organisation, and the Army Sport Control Board was instituted
as the.guide, philosopher and friend to all sport in the Army. Early
it February, igi9, there was held a meeting, the primary object of
which was to make arrangements for the Navy and Army match.
The title of this meeting is quite indefinite and yet, in the minutes,
reference is made to an official of the Army Cricket Association, of
which there is no previous trace.
However, on 26th February, igiq, there was a meeting of the
Army Cricket Association, and, for want of better evidence, this
must be taken as the first plenary meeting, albeit there is no trace
of any authority for this meeting.
OBJECTS
O
F
ARMY CRICKET ASSOCIATION
The objects of the Association are :
(i) To establish a properly constituted body to govern cricket
in the Army, to arrange representative matches, and to
ensure authoritative selection of Army XI's.
(ii) To encourage the game throughout the Army, to do all that
was possible to raise the standard of play, and to provide
serving soldiers with opportunities of playing first-class
cricket.
(iii) To do all in their power to provide grounds suitable for
cricket, though it was realised that funds for this purpose
would have to be provided by the Army Sport Control
Board.
ORGANISATION OF THE ARMY CRICKET
ASSOCIATION
The General Committee of the Army Cricket Association consists
of,:
The President.
One representative from each Command.
One representative from the London District. ,
One representative from the Northern Ireland District.
The Hon. Secretary,
ex-officio.
The Selection Committee consists of
The President
The Captain of the Army XI
ex-officio.
Hon. Secretary
One representative each from Northern, Southern, Eastern,
and Aldershot Commands.
The Captain of the XI and the Hon. Secretary are elected
annually, and these posts cannot be held by one individual for