AJ Newsletter May 2018
Great Start To Another Successful Cricket Season
Most of you would expect me to talk about Pakistan’s celebrations at Lords for the first Test against England but I am going to resist!
Instead, let’s talk about the statement from Colin Greaves, ECB’s Chairman who has said that young people are “just not attracted to cricket”, which is why a new 100 – ball competition is being proposed. I am shocked and simply don’t understand this – especially since T20 was only introduced in 2003 and is great for families as it is. The ECB should be focusing on implementing these ideas at grass roots level to entice younger players. They also only have to look at the success of our Academy this year, to see that this ludicrous statement is not true.
After a rainy start to the season, nothing could keep our young cricketers away and we had an impressive turnout on Saturday 28th April despite the cold and wet weather. From that day onwards it has been a very busy month.
Our Saturday training has gone very well for all age groups. The coaches have been very impressed with the attitude and commitment from all the children.
Our congratulations go to eight under 9 boys who have been successful in the phase 1 trials of the Surrey Performance Squad. Joseph Galligan, Rohan Narula, Ben Fulford Jones, Reggie Allan, Dhruv Ganesan, Kiran Ramaiya, Freddie Overend and Aaron Bates. Well done boys!
May has seen the Under 9s, Under 10s and Under 12s all play matches in cups, tournaments and leagues. The results are impressive:
Under 9s League
Played the only league game and narrowly lost to a very formidable Wimbledon team by 10 runs. Valiant effort from the boys on a Monday night.
Under 10s Cup
Played two games against Bank of England and Spencer and won both.
They will play Sutton cricket club in the quarter-final on the 23rd June.
Under 10s League
Played two games against Dulwich and Reigate Priory and won both.
Under 12s Cup
Find themselves in the quarter finals which will be played on 22nd of June v Banstead cricket club. They beat Trinity Mid-Whitgiftians in round two and had a bye in round one.
Under 12s League
Played one game against Old Rutlishians cricket club and won.
They also received a bye in one of their league games.
Under 8s League
The under 8s will have their first match against Alleyn CC on the 2nd June.
Good Luck boys!
Friendly fixtures
Due to the delay to Sutton Recreation ground we have been restricted to when we can organise friendly matches against other clubs. We have two games this weekend.
U10 v Bank of England on Saturday 2nd of June at Dundonald Park
U11 v Old Rutlishians on Sunday 3rd of June at Morden Park
Midweek Squad sessions
The mid week sessions have also been a great success for the club with real commitment from all participants to hone their skills.
A reminder of the times:
Monday – Under 8s: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Tuesday – Under 12s: 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday – Under 9s and U10s: – 5:30 – 7:00pm
A huge thanks from me – as always – to the coaches, managers and volunteers for supporting the club.
Looking at the passion and commitment for the game from our young cricketers, alongside the All Stars Cricket initiative announcing that 50,000 children had signed up to take part this summer, it seems to me that we do not need another version of the game. Why not instead, teach our children about cricket’s wonderful heritage and traditions?
That is how we would like to proceed at the Academy!
We look forward to a very exciting June.
Any Other Business
With the spate of bad weather, our potential home ground in Sutton has been delayed. A further update will be given in June from Merton Council.
My apologies again, for the diabolical service from our Kit suppliers, BAS. As most of you are aware, I will be going to see them this week and hope to finally get the matter resolved.
|
