Masters Carnival - Men's & Women's
The WA Country Masters Carnival is coordinated by the Country Cricket Board and provides experienced cricketers with an opportunity to represent the BDCA while enjoying competitive, social cricket alongside players from regional associations across Western Australia.
Separate Men’s and Women’s competitions are held as part of the carnival. Players are eligible to nominate if they are 40 years of age or older on the day their carnival begins.
Whether you have represented the Association before or are considering Masters cricket for the first time, eligible men and women are encouraged to nominate. The carnival combines strong competition with the camaraderie and connection that make representative cricket a memorable experience.
Competition Format
The WA Country Masters Carnival is played in a T20 format and brings together experienced players from regional cricket associations across Western Australia.
Men’s Masters
The Men’s carnival will run from Thursday 14 January to Saturday 16 January 2027.
The proposed schedule includes a twilight match on Thursday, followed by two matches on Friday and a final morning round on Saturday. The opening ceremony and carnival dinner will be held at Forrest Park on Thursday evening, with presentations and lunch following Saturday’s matches.
Women’s Masters
The Women’s carnival will be played on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 January 2027, with matches conducted in the T20 format.
Confirmed divisions, venues and fixtures for both competitions will be published once released by the Country Cricket Board.
Nominations and Selection
Players wishing to represent the BDCA in either the Men’s or Women’s Masters competition must submit the online nomination form by the advertised closing date.
To be eligible, players must:
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Be registered with a BDCA-affiliated club
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Be 40 years of age or older on the day their carnival begins
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Be available for the relevant matches and team commitments
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Agree to comply with the carnival rules, codes of conduct and BDCA team expectations
The number of teams entered will depend on nominations received and the requirements of the Country Cricket Board. BDCA aims to provide opportunities to eligible players wherever team numbers allow.
Team selection will consider player availability, performance, team balance, commitment, conduct, leadership and the needs of each team.
Submitting a nomination does not guarantee selection. However, historically most eligible players who have wanted to participate have been accommodated within a team. Final teams will be confirmed after nominations close, and players will be notified directly.
Team Leadership and Communication
Each BDCA Masters team will be supported by appointed team leaders, which may include a captain, vice-captain and team manager or support person.
Appointments will consider leadership, communication, reliability, respect for others and the ability to represent the BDCA positively both on and off the field.
Official carnival updates will be communicated directly to players by email. Individual teams may also establish a WhatsApp or similar messaging group closer to the carnival to coordinate match-day information, training, uniforms and team arrangements.
Players are responsible for monitoring these communications and responding promptly when information or confirmation is requested.
Training and Team Preparation
Training sessions, practice matches and team meetings will be scheduled during January. Dates, venues and attendance information will be provided to nominated and selected players once arrangements are confirmed.
Players should make every effort to attend scheduled activities. These sessions provide an opportunity to meet teammates, prepare for the carnival and receive important team information.
A team briefing and uniform collection may also be held alongside a January training session or practice match.
Travel and Accommodation
The Masters Carnival will be held within the South West. Players are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation, if required, as these are not provided by the BDCA.
Fees and Payment
A $50 deposit is required when nominating for the Masters Carnival. The deposit must be paid through the BDCA website to complete your nomination and will form part of your total carnival payment.
Final 2027 fees will be confirmed once the Country Cricket Board releases the team nomination costs and carnival inclusions.
Men’s Masters
The total player contribution for the 2026 Men’s Masters Carnival was approximately $200. This amount is provided as a guide only and is not confirmed for 2027.
The final player contribution, inclusions, remaining balance and payment deadline will be communicated once all 2027 carnival costs have been finalised.
Women’s Masters
For the 2026 Women’s Masters Carnival, the indicative player contribution was approximately $80, plus any required uniform purchases. This included the team nomination fee, balls and match expenses, with carnival meals subject to confirmation.
Players initially paid a $50 deposit, followed by an estimated remaining balance of approximately $30. These amounts are provided as a guide only and are not confirmed for 2027.
New Player Uniform Package
Eligible new BDCA representative players can purchase a New Player Kit for $75, which includes:
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One BDCA playing shirt
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One pair of BDCA playing pants
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One BDCA baggy blue cap
Additional or replacement uniform items can be purchased separately through the BDCA Shop. Uniform purchases are separate from the carnival contribution.
Uniforms
Players must wear the approved BDCA representative uniform during Country Week.
Eligible new representative players can purchase the New Player Kit for $75, which includes:
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One playing shirt in the selected style and size
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One pair of playing pants
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One BDCA baggy blue cap
Returning players should check that their existing uniform remains suitable and complete. Replacement and additional uniform items may be purchased separately through the BDCA Shop.
Players will select the required sizes when ordering online. All uniform orders are collection only and will generally be distributed at a pre-carnival training session, team meeting or another nominated BDCA collection time.
Player Requirements and Safety
Players are expected to comply with the carnival’s playing conditions, BDCA team requirements and the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct.
Helmets are compulsory for all batters and for wicketkeepers standing up to the stumps. Umpires will enforce this requirement, so every player must bring the appropriate protective equipment.
Players must also complete required payments by the advised deadlines and promptly notify their captain or BDCA if their availability changes.
Fixtures, Results and Live Streaming
Fixtures, venues, results and ladders will be available through the Country Cricket Board competition on PlayCricket. Players should check the competition regularly, as match details may be updated.
FrogBox streaming is expected to be available for all BDCA matches. Links to available live streams and replays will be shared when the fixtures and streaming schedule are confirmed.
Rules and Downloads
Official rules, playing conditions and carnival information for Country Cricket Board-run representative carnivals are published on the Country Cricket Board website. Players, captains and team officials should review the current information relevant to their carnival before participating.
Everyone representing the BDCA must also comply with the BDCA Code of Conduct and uphold the standards expected of association representatives.
Questions and Contact
If you have questions about nominations, selection, accommodation, payments or preparing for Men’s Country Week, contact the BDCA Representative committee. Email: rep.cricket@bdca.asn.au