Fletching Cricket Club

The new season is fast approaching and the Junior Committee Members are looking forward to building on the successes of last season.

Despite the inclement weather in 2007, the club successfully ran teams at U9, U11, and U13 all of whom played in the Mid Sussex leagues. Highlights of the season included:

• Over 120 children played cricket with the club, the majority representing the club in at least one match.
• U9s qualified to play the final Telecom Sussex U10 Final at Hove.
• Ollie Bradley, Jack Burkill, Jack Meacher and Ben McIntosh were all selected to train with Sussex U9s.
• U11s were second in their league, narrowly losing a nail-biting final match at Ansty.
• U13s won the East Sussex league and played in the final losing by just 7 runs to East Grinstead.
• Toby Pullan was selected and played for Sussex Under 10s having success with both bat and ball.
• Rufus Wilkinson was Sussex Under 11s Player of the Festival.

With the significant increase of Juniors Members playing at the club, particularly on a Thursday night, it is inevitable that with greater numbers and ever more stringent legislation, there is a need for more structure and regulation. We have endeavoured to keep this to a minimum as the principle goal for cricket at Fletching is that it should remain a free and enjoyable experience for all the children.

All those involved in both organisation and coaching do so as volunteers and we would therefore ask that where simple rules and procedures are required, all parents support and help in their implementation.

The coaching resources continue to be stretched and we would genuinely welcome additional volunteers to help. We appreciate you may not be available every week but the greater the ratio of Coaches to Junior Members, the more the children will benefit. Please let any of the coaches know if you are willing to help or email juniorcricket@fletchingcricketclub.co.uk.

We would also like to draw your attention to new information concering the Juniors that covers a number of issues. In many cases these are simply a confirmation of past practices, but there are some new issues that do represent change from previous seasons. Specifically please note the following:

• The number of Junior Cricket members will be restricted to 120.
• The minimum age requirement will be aged 7 on 1st September 2007.
• Priority will be given to those that live within the Parish of Fletching and who were members last year who register before 17th April 2008.

To give your child the best chance to secure membership for 2008, please return the completed form together with a cheque, to the address provided. In addition to securing membership, this will enable us to reduce the administration challenge at the start of the season.

Thank you for your patience and co-operation and we all look forward to another successful and fun cricket season at Fletching!