Happy Easter all!
This is the earliest Chairman’s note that I’ve typed as another exciting season is upon us with our first fixture next Saturday, hopefully we’ll avoid any April showers! Please take note as there have been lots of exciting developments which I would like to share in this lengthy note and also a few requests.
As always I would like to welcome all new and returning members to this fantastic club and wish all our captains and their teams the best of luck for the season. I hope that all playing members haven’t over indulged (author excluded!) during lockdown and are fit, firing and ready to give it your best for the mighty Oak Trees!
The benchmark for any sports club can be a number of things but for many it is a combination of facilities and success on the field of play, both of which we have tried to address. As a club we have decided to invest in our players by asking Paul ‘Fuga’ Marks and Bear Coaching to run some well led and innovative sessions over the course of the season with the aim of collectively improving our skills on the pitch. These coaching sessions will kick start this week coming and will be on every Thursday thereafter until the 26th of August. It will be open to all members and playing abilities and to remain Covid compliant for the time being it will consist of 3x 50 minute sessions starting at 5pm. I actively encourage everyone to take advantage and participate but please also remember to book your weekly spot directly with Paul so that we can keep a handle of numbers and remain compliant.
Secondly, for those of you who have been to the club recently you will have seen a rather impressive new shed next to the pavilion which Olly Kendall and a motley crew have built during February and March. This was partly afforded to us via a couple of government Covid grants last year and importantly will safely house our freshly serviced mower and newly acquired roller crucial to the upkeep of Bull Meadow. Olly, on behalf of the club a massive thank you and it is only right that we anoint the building the ‘Olly Kendall Pavilion’ in your honour.
Further good news is that league cricket is returning and we have a packed schedule of fixtures for three Saturday sides and one on a Sunday. Last year I was very encouraged that demand dictated that we organised 4th X1 fixtures for the first time in our history, which I believe puts us in rude health as a club. With that in mind and playing numbers at a record high, selection will be performance based more than ever before and I expect it to be difficult on occasions for the Captains who have the ultimate decision. Should there be a week where you were unsuccessful in getting a game, don’t be despondent make sure that you are the first to training demonstrating your cricketing ability not to mention confirming your availability nice and early at the start of the week. Equally with plenty of keen and talented youngsters I believe we have enough players to fulfil a number of 4th X1 fixtures however we are lacking a willing captain at the moment. A shout out for any keen volunteers, maybe a dad and son combo? If you could be tempted with the challenge please drop me a line and I can run through the role and how we’ll support you.
I am also very excited to announce that we have begun formalising a Ladies team in conjunction with Essex CC with the aim of having a friendly eleven by the start of next season. Friday nights will be ladies night starting with Dynamos for the girls followed by sociable, relaxed and fun cricket for the adults with I’m sure some ‘Prosecco and Pizza’ afterwards. All friends of the club are very welcome and Hetty Melrose our first ladies player is the driving force behind this so please don’t be shy get in touch if you want to know more (hettymelrose@yahoo.com).
All being well we plan to celebrate our 151st birthday as a club over the August Bank holiday so make a note in your diaries as we have some fun plans earmarked. Watch this space for further details and if you fancy helping organise please reach out to myself or James Pook.
Couple of housekeeping bits if I may-
- For those that are not on the DD/ standing order scheme Annual Subs are due before the first Saturday league fixture. Details are on the following link https://membermojo.co.uk/greattothamcc; please state your name as reference when transferring funds to GTCC @ Sort 60-24-17 Acc 63742519.
- Match fees to be paid to the captains and have remained at £10 for adults and £5 for students.
- All players must be signed up as a ‘member’ so that you are covered by our club insurance whether it be for matches, training or net usage.
- Understandably there have been some changes to the game so that it is deemed safe, the pavilion has further direction on GTCCs approach. The latest detailed ECB guidance which we adhere to is here https://resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document/2021/03/26/c1d0973a-94d1-410b-a400-826f6a71feb5/Recreational-Cricket-COVID-Guidance-in-England-26.03.21.pdf
I want to personally thank the committee again on behalf of the club for putting in a lot of hard work during the off season so that we can firstly play cricket and secondly safely; please can I ask that we all respect the ECB and government rules.
With my standard optimistic disposition I have every confidence that assuming we brush up on our playing skills I envisage the whole club to be successfully challenging this year. Best of luck for the season ahead and let’s try to be very competitive within the spirit of cricket!
All the best
Richard aka Dicko
GTCC Chairman
