Cricket Force

Dear All,

Thank you very much to all who helped during Cricket Force last weekend, a great effort by a few, particularly, Simon Dodd, Paddy and Dan May, Ian and Ben Turk, the Clarkes (all of them!), John Windebank, Mark Holloway, Jack Hannam, Rob and Ben Anscombe, Rob Allerston and Matt Friend.  My profuse apologies if I have missed anyone, please correct me!

Unlike last year there weren’t any major projects being undertaken this year but the annual maintenance and input of time and energy to wake the club up and make sure it is ready for the forthcoming season is invaluable; it is no coincidence that following last years huge effort the club won the Hampshire Cricket League award for the most improved ground in 2013!

There are still some jobs outstanding from last weekend that we must complete over the next few weeks.  The really good news is that the official weekend for Cricket Force is the 5th and 6th April so we our ahead of the rest of the country and there will still be an opportunity for you, your friends and families to give something back to the cricket club and local community by volunteering to undertake the outstanding tasks. It is fun, I promise, and its  a great way to bring the club together in addition to making sure it is ready for the new season.  If you need an added incentive I’ve now got our supply of Cricket Force T shirts to give out (some of you may need to grow quickly if you want the triple XL to fit!).

Marcus Sampson, Simon Dodd and Mark Holloway will be in touch about a range of jobs that they will be seeking help with over the next few weeks, if you can, and I appreciate that it is not always possible, your help will be expected and greatly appreciated.  I make no apology if the team captains and other committee members start badgering you!

Again, many thanks to all of you who were able to help last weekend.

Kind regards,

James.  

Petersfield Cricket Club recognised again at EHDC sports awards.

Petersfield Cricket Club recognised again at EHDC sports awards.

Petersfield Cricket Club were recognised at the East Hampshire District

Council Sports Awards for their huge contribution to sport in the local

community, they were runners up in the Club of the Year Award as was their

Under 9A team in the Junior Team of the Year Award.

Petersfield Cricket Club enjoyed another successful year and not only

achieved their targets, but also exceeded many: the 1st

from County Division 4 to County Division 3 and 3rd XI achieved promotion for

the first time from Regional Division 4 to Regional Division 3.

The club continues to provide opportunities for more than 165 five to sixteen

year olds to participate in sport, and to volunteer as coaches at the junior age

levels. The achievements are increasingly due to the colts that have been

with the club from U7 level. The U9A and U15 teams won their respective

Leagues; the U9s won the A Division cementing their spot as the best U9

team in the District.

In 2013 Petersfield Cricket Club entered a Ladies team into Hampshire

League Division 2. The team played nine games, winning five, and finishing

third in the division. The majority of the team developed through the girls’

section. Coaching sessions were run in many local schools, they were then

invited to a coaching session at the club where the older girls assisted in

coaching and mentoring. This initiative resulted in 33 girls joining the club.

The use of the club’s facilities was provided free to local schools.

There were eight boys selected for the South East Hampshire District Squads

in 2013/14 and four selected in their county age group.

With the support of the local councils and other funding bodies, the club have

invested in improving their grounds. In November they were awarded the

prestigious Stan Foster Trophy for the most improved Ground of the Year in

the Hampshire Cricket League.


Amongst other achievements the club are providing specialist coaching

to six of their elite young players, and plan to increase this number during

2014; they passed the annual Club Mark health check and retained their

accreditation; and they continue to be a Hampshire Cricket Focus Club.

The club raised £3,428 for Motor Neurone Disease through the annual charity

match against the Celebrity Comedians.

The Chairman, James Stratford-Tuke, says “That the accolades from EHDC

are great reward for the hard work of the officials, coaches, volunteers;

players, both seniors and colts; and parents. Having been the Club of the

Year in 2012 and receive a similar award in the Junior Club of the Year

category that year and then again last year, to receive these awards to sit

alongside our other achievements is great testimony for all the hard work.


See report from Hampshire website about the EHDC awards

http://www.ageasbowl.com/news/Successful-Night-for-Young-Cricketers-at-East-Hants-District-Sports-Awards

The support of EHDC, Petersfield Town Council, the Hampshire Cricket Board

and other bodies is vital to allow us to continue to provide great opportunities

for the community to play cricket and have fun. Last year we were described

by the Hampshire Cricket Board as “A high quality community cricket club”.

As a club, we look forward to further success and growth and have drafted the

Petersfield Cricket Club Strategy 2014-2016. We are looking forward to this

season with great anticipation.”

Those wishing to join should contact the Club Captain, Marcus Sampson,

Marcus.Sampson@wolseley.co.uk, or Colts Coordinator, Paddy May

petersfieldcccolts@gmail.com. For more details visit the Petersfield Cricket

Club website: http://petersfield.play-cricket.com