Junior Cricket Newsletter 14th March

As the season fast approaches and with the easing of the Government’s lockdown restrictions it is looking promising that we will get a full season of cricket in 2021.

For those that haven’t been to the club in recent months, work has continued over the winter to improve facilities for the benefit of members and the community. This includes a new floodlit pedestrian entrance and a fantastic extension to the decking at the side of the club featuring booths, patio heaters and a new bbq / pizza oven. There is also significant work happening through the Barlow Estate with a new Multi-Use Games Area in progress (replacing the dilapidated tennis courts), plans for a new extended children’s play area and a new roof for the Barlow main building.

Along with progression off the field the club is making big strides on it towards the aim of being one of the premier cricket clubs in the Lancashire / Greater Manchester area. A key part of this is junior progression and it was extremely pleasing to see so many juniors playing senior cricket in 2020. Only four years ago, ECRC had two senior teams but due to the effort of many we can now comfortably field four teams with junior cricketers featuring at every level. Particularly focus is placed on juniors entering senior cricket on Sundays which has been driven by Andy Ormrod who is continuing as 3rd XI captain for 2021. Mike Lonsdale has also agreed to captain the 4th XI and like Andy will continue to give great opportunities to junior cricketers.

Jon Gosling will lead the junior cricket section in 2021 taking over from Denver Thornton. Denver will continue to sit on the cricket committee and will retain a focus on junior cricket. Thanks go to Denver for driving the junior section forward over many years as much of the healthy position we now find ourselves is down to him.

We have entered teams into every GMCL age group with two teams at both u9s and u11s. Games will start from 2nd May and fixtures will be released in due course. Jo Hegg is continuing as Safeguarding Officer and Team Managers this year are as follows;

• U9s - Chris Poole

• U11s - Rob Winser / Dave Parkinson

• U13s - Richard Johnston

• U15s - Matt Eddleston

• U17s - Lee Walmsley

We await full ECB return to play guidance but is is expected that cricket outdoors will be allowed return in some form from 29th March. As such the club has provisional plans for outdoor training to commence as follows;

• Tuesday 30th March, Senior & U15s/U17s

• Friday 2nd April, U9s, U11s & U13s

It is highly likely that at least for the first half of the season we will be operating under some COVID restrictions.

In addition to normal junior training the club will once again be running ECB Allstars as an introduction to cricket for 5-8 year old boys and girls. This will be led by Lee Walmsley and Chris Poole. In addition, to increase the focus on Women’s and Girls cricket the club will be running ECB Dynamos for 8-11 year olds with a particular aim of increasing female participation at this age range. This will be led by female coach Maddy White along with Denver Thornton.

A significant factor in junior progression is quality coaching and this is an area that the club continues to invest. Lead coaches will be as follows;

• Seniors, Nigel Partington

• U15s / U17s, Paul Wright

• U9s, U11s, U13s, Maddy White

Nigel, Paul and Maddy will be ably supported by a team of volunteer coaches, a number of which have done or are doing ECB coaching badges.

Junior subscriptions are set at £50 for junior cricket only. This includes all training, matches and a white AO.com cricket shirt for new players. Junior cricketers playing senior cricket is set at £95.

Due to the significant loss of income for the club over the last 12 months we are asking for membership to be paid ASAP to assist with the club cash flow. As the club will not be open until 12th April at the earliest (outside only) and 17th May at the earliest (indoors) the easiest method of payment is through secure online pay links on our online membership page.

To make registration as easy as possible we’ve also moved the junior welfare form online. This needs to be completed prior to the first practice session.

At least one parent is also kindly requested to join as a social member which can be done through the same membership link above. Benefits include big discounts off alcoholic drinks and there will be restrictions on non-members accessing the club's bar service area until COVID restrictions are fully lifted.

As a reminder optional blue training kit along with white playing jumpers are available for ordering online through customkit.

Finally, we are very excited about the season ahead and can’t wait to see everyone back at the club in the near future.

ECRC Cricket Committee