May newsletter
Chair’s Update
The season is in full flow with all the leagues now having started. This includes our women entering a hardball league for the first time, which is momentous considering 10 years ago we were considering dropping the men’s second XI due to lack of demand, and here we are now with a women’s hardball league team!!
This season we have junior teams in every age group of our local hardball league, so we now have a pathway for both girls and boys from our All Stars softball offer (from Reception year at primary school) all the way through to Year 10, and into senior cricket teams for both boys and girls from Year 11. Huge thanks and credit to all of those involved in bringing us to this point and to those that continue to drive us forward.
The ambition is to have a repeatable, successful formula, rather than reliance on a small number of volunteers going above and beyond, so if you think you can help to become a coach, a team manager or fulfil any other role, please do get in touch. If you can’t offer up any time, please continue to act as an advocate selling the positives of our junior section – word of mouth is really important in growing the club.
This summer, the Women’s Cricket World Cup is being hosted on these shores, and the ECB is rightly taking the opportunity to grow the women’s and girls’ game. A recent event to celebrate 50 days until the competition starts saw Kent Cricket attend one of our local primary schools. It was a great opportunity to promote the game, and it was also brilliant to see that three of the four girls pictured are already part of our Under 11 girl’s section.
The cricket green has become a regular venue for Southborough Community’s May Day celebrations, which really helps raise our profile in our local community, whilst also providing an opportunity raise funds through drinks sales. Huge thanks to all that turned out to run the stall and to those that came out to support.
It’s just left to wish everyone a productive season and here’s hoping for lots of individual and team success over the next few months.
David
Kit Plea
Tripping over old cricket kit? No longer have a need for it? Our ladies’ section is keen to put any old kit to good use. They are especially interested in Harrow sized bats, but anything you have that still has life in it and that you would like to donate would be gratefully received. Please drop any items into the pavilion.
Club History
We have an ongoing project to upload as much of the Club’s playing history onto our ECB Play Cricket website Southborough CC so we can improve the accuracy of what we hold. Just to report that we’ve now successfully uploaded all scorecards that we have, going back to 1977. We still have many gaps from then until now, so if anyone comes across any, please do drop them in to the Club. There are more years to add going back to 1947, but uploading those years is planned for those long dark winter evenings.
Senior Cricket
Women’s
Women’s outdoor training takes place on Friday evenings, from 6.30-7.45pm.
We are running both a softball and hardball team this year, so opportunities for those new to the game and those wanting to take the step into hardball cricket. If you are keen to join, or know anyone that is, please contact Katie Cranley (07939 066163) for further information.
Men’s
Men’s outdoor training takes place on Thursday evenings, from 6pm (until it gets dark).
With lots of opportunities to play matches (Saturday league, Sunday friendly and midweek evening friendly league), we are not only looking for players that can play every week – we are realistic and recognise that level of commitment is difficult for many - so even if you can only play occasionally, come along and give it a go!! Please get in contact with Alex (07989 976704 southboroughccmembership@gmail.com).
Junior Cricket
Hardball training has started well on Tuesday evenings at Skinners’ School playing fields, with the upper area a hive of activity from 6-8pm each week with nearly 100 children in attendance. Saturday morning softball training has started well with 77 All Stars (Reception to Year 2) and 35 boys and 11 girls at Under 9s. The Under 9s have also turned out for their first festival with a few more planned across the season.
Places are filling up fast in most of our age groups (we don’t operate a cap but do factor in squad size to ensure we have sufficient coaches and opportunities to play matches) but still have places in our Under 11 and Under 13 Girls squads. For further information, please contact Stefan (07546 124294 southboroughccjuniors@outlook.com)
Walking Cricket
A message from TMActive:
We have recently launched Walking Cricket at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge. We are trying to increase the numbers. We want to engage older participants who enjoy the game of cricket at a slower pace.
If you are interested, there are further details on the poster.
Club Shop
The next cut off date for ordering clothing through the Club Shop is Saturday 23 May. To order, either pop into the shop or order through their website: Southborough CC Shop : Kent Cricket Direct (Password is SCC2021). We’re not sure wheh the next window will open, so if you are after some kit, don’t delay.
150 Club
We do have squares available to buy at the moment - each square costs £24 per year (or £2 per month) and there is a monthly draw where the winner takes away £100, with an extra draw at the dinner. Any proceeds from this scheme are re-invested in improvements for the Club’s membership.
If you are interested in playing a square, please contact the 150 Club organiser, Phil Davis (philcodavis@gmail.com).