I’ve always tried to live by the principle of giving 100% in everything that I do. If you give 100 % and it is not good enough you cannot question yourself. Thats exactly what I try to do from day one when I joined Stretford in 2015.
I have been involved in cricket for many years and whilst Junior Chairman of a thriving junior section at Brooklands,I was approached to see if I would be interested in overseeing all cricket at Stretford in the role of Director of Cricket .I could see massive potential in taking the club forward and jumped at the chance to try to fulfil that potential .I had already had a good rapport with Stretford over the years whilst both playing and in a coaching junior teams against them .
Being such an active club member natural to me.We are getting a very good core of club members not who are willing to help in all aspects of the club now which is very encouraging.
I would hope that I was approachable to everyone and if they need
any advice I am always available. There is not one style of management,certain
players need an arm around their shoulder or others need to be encouraged in a
slightly stronger way .
Bonfire night was a prime example of what the club does well.It is
such a massive event for the club and the number of club members who
volunteered in many capacities to make it such a success was absolutely
fantastic.We are always looking for more
volunteers and new ideas coming into the club so if anyone is willing to help
in any way we would love you to get involved.
There are many things that can be improved at the
club but I feel better communication is needed.We are doing an awful lot of
work on our new website to make it easier for players to advise their
availability and paying memberships etc at the moment.
My vision for the club on the field is to keep
improving and to continue to give opportunities to younger players in the
senior teams.All our senior teams have players who have come through or are
still in the junior section and I am very keen for this to continue.We are
always looking to increase our junior and senior members so any new members
would be made more than welcome.
I would say the highlights would have to be the
1st team getting promotion in my first season and the Under 18/19 having great
successes in reaching the the Lancashire Cup final and winning the South
Manchester League .
I have had my own opticians practice for 30 years in Stretford Mall,’Specialeyes Optical Centre which keeps me very busy and all club members get discounted rates for all their optical needs!! I love all other sports and have been a ‘massive’ Manchester City fan all my life so watching the style of football we are playing now is fantastic.
We are delighted to announce that Australian, James Leary has signed for the club for the 2020 season to fill one of our overseas slots. The highly regarded 19 year old from Sydney is an innovative right handed batsman currently playing for UTS North Sydney Bears.
It
has been no ordinary journey for James who has already achieved so
much at a young age both on and off the pitch. His story is one of
defiance, stark realisation and triumph over adversity. His passion
for the game has never been brighter and he is intent on giving it
his all in trying to achieve his dream.
I’m left feeling
humbled very quickly only seconds into our conversation and it
becomes clear that this Aussie is someone who thrives with his back
to the wall. He has a serious will to win and passion for the game
along with with a clear perspective on life that developed early;
“I’m
from Sydney and I currently live on the Central Coast in New South
Wales. I was born with a heart condition called Aortic Stenosis,
which is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. I’ve already had 3
open heart operations in my lifetime when I was one, fifteen and
another at the start of 2019.
I live with my Dad and Granddad
and have two brothers and two sisters (Duan, Lilly, Kiara and Jezzie)
My mum passed away in 2009 when I was 8 and it was about that time I
first started playing cricket.”
A young James instantly took
to the game of cricket and managed to bag 3/3 off 2 overs and scored
21* retired in his first game. His most cherished moment in cricket
as scoring his first century as a 13 year old with his Dad (who is a
bloody legend) batting at the other end.
Despite
his remarkable duck to water introduction into cricket it was by no
means easy. He already overcame a number of odds to begin playing but
it was not until his dream was threatened that James began to
properly focus on his game
“Dad tried to keep me off the streets as a young kid but I grew up in a really tough area so it was hard up until around 15 when I got into some trouble. I got selected in a touring team to play cricket in Sri Lanka. My Dad had told me that if I ever got into trouble that I would not be able to travel. That was a scary moment and was a bit of a wake up call. I got my head together and needed to be more mature. I got my life on track and completed school and now I’m training exceptionally hard to hopefully one day fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional cricketer. In the end I went on tour and its the only time I’ve ever left Australia but I did score the most runs on that tour including three half centuries at an average of 38 ”
“I love the game, there’s not a day that goes by where I haven’t either trained at the nets or played backyard cricket with my mates, I work very hard on becoming the best cricketer I can be and I hope to bring a focus and will to win to Stretford. I wear my heart on my sleeve and will do anything required to see the team over the line for a win and sing the team song.
“I take my cricket seriously but I love to see people laugh and having fun, I think I’m also very easy to get along with and I love meeting new people, getting to know my teammates and club mates really well. I think my teammates would say that I am a fighter at the crease. I love it when it’s tough and difficult that’s when I bat the best especially when I copping a lot of sledging from the opposition about my unorthodox shots and shot selection I love a celebration when I take a wicket and when our team gets a wicket you will hear my “whoooooo” in the next suburb!”
Over
the last few years consistent run scoring has been an issue for the
club. The bowling has generally been good and we’ve managed to bowl
teams out. I spend a few minutes talking about the club and I ask
what he knows already:
“I
heard you guys finished third last season and just missed out on
promotion however due to a league restructure the standard will be
better than last season. So on the field I’m hoping to contribute
runs and wickets to drive us up the league and win games. Winning a
comp with your teammates has to be the best feeling in the game of
cricket! Personally I am setting my targets very high and hope to get
a couple of centuries and some wickets!
I
briefly tell James about what he can expect in Manchester and at
Stretford. I inform him that there is something for everyone whether
you like music, sport, art, eating, pubs, clubs but such is his focus
on cricket that the conversation again turns to what he can do
better;
“Off the field I want to experience some good nights out in Manchester and London. I have a couple of mates from my club in Sydney who play in th Lancashire set up that have told me those places are good for a night out. I’d like to travel a bit to places like Paris, Amsterdam, Ireland and I would like to go to some place with snow. Despite this I do want to start eating a lot more healthier in England than I do in Australia and become a lot fitter than I am at the moment”\ which I think will help my game”
We are looking forward to James joining the Stretford team and can guarantee that he will be well looked after at the club. We wish him luck for the rest of his summer in Australia as our search for new members and players continues.
Danie van Schoor played for Stretford in 2015 and 2016 and is another member of the southern-African contingent who enjoyed stints at the club. Danie took time out from his training with the Namibia national team and work to chat about his road to Manchester and being part of the national team
The
van Schoor family has a fine cricket pedigree with father Melt, uncle
Ian, brother Raymond and cousin Anneri all playing for the National
Team. As a result Danie was always going to be involved in cricket
from a young age
“ I was taken to
the field as a young kid, like 5 or 6 years old and I would be
playing with my toys next to the field watching my dad play. I didn’t
really play any mini cricket. When I reached the age of 8 or 9 that
is when I started to play big boy cricket and at 13 I played my
first game in the Premier League in Namibia. It was a quick rise but
I have never looked back since then. I played my first first class
game at the age of 17. I think youngsters in England have a bit more
of advantage because the age groups start at U7 and U9 and it gets
them involved earlier” (indeed Stretford has u9 cricket so take
advantage people of Stretford! -ed)
His first 1st class
game was a proud moment for Danie and the excitement and expectancy
he felt was a result of hard work over the years however, his first
memory of the match was a reminder that you can’t do it all on your
own in cricket and its a team game.
“The captain
Nicholas Scholtz threw me the ball and sagely advised “it is your
time now””. My older brother was standing behind the stumps. I
was so excited and fuelled by adrenalin and I knew as soon as I
released my first off-spinner that it was going to rip square. I can
still can feel the ball coming out the hand . The ball took the edge
of the bat but the catch was dropped at first slip. I finished
wicketless in my first spell!”
During 2012 Danie’s
brother, the late Raymond van Schoor, played for Stretford and took
home a Stretford Cap and shirt which was placed in the family trophy
cabinet. It was then Danie knew that he wanted to follow in his
brothers footsteps.
“Raymond played
for Stretford in 2012 and after that one of my biggest childhood
dreams was to play for the Three Lions of Stretford. I always kept in
contact the bloke where my brother stayed for that season because we
had a few FIFA duels over the year. One day I received a mail from
Stretford asking if I would play for them the following season . I
could not believe it! I didn’t have to think twice because I had
heard so many good things about Stretford from Raymond and Craig
Williams who also played there. There is no doubt about it that my
stint at Stretford was a major factor in helping me work towards my
dreams of playing for my country”
Danie was not a
seasoned traveller at the age of 19 and by his own admission
struggled to get to grips with cricket in the first year
“There were many
up and downs in the first season. My cricket did not go as well as I
wanted but the experience was definitely worth it . Primarily I
learned to be more independent and that nothing in life is given to
you . Its essential to understand that you need to put your head down
and work for success. At the age of 19 I did not know much about life
but Stretford welcomed me with open arms and I am still grateful for
all the effort of the members and families who looked after me.
Stretford CC today
means still means so much to me; like a family. Two players who I
played with have been to visit me in Namibia which I really
appreciated . Stretford helped to make me into the person I am today
and I would hope that others would describe me as a honest , hard
working and caring person . Always willing to help and assist where I
can ; that’s the Stretford way in my mind”
The popular
off-spinner may not have accumulated as many runs or wickets as he
would have liked but showed glimpses of real talent and leadership
which he really demonstrated after he was signed for a second season
“I came over to Stretford for a second season and did much better after learning a lot in year one. Things had changed a bit at the club with some old players returning and the strength in depth increasing. We had a new captain and also a new Director of Cricket but the captain left the club due to personal reasons mid way through the season. Following a team meeting , Guy the Director, put his faith in the youngster from Namibia and appointed me captain. We went on a good run in the league winning 10 games on the bounce with all 11 players playing vital roles in achieving promotion which was secured in a brilliant victory away at West Leigh on the final day of the season. It was probably my favourite match for the club – luckily I managed to score a few runs and take a few wickets -but when we turned up at the ground in pouring rain we didn’t think we were going to play. We needed to play and win to finish in the promotion spots having worked hard in the 2nd half of the season to move up from mid table obscurity. The joy on the players faces when Alex took the winning catch was something I wont forget . Personally the season was much better and I managed to take over 30 wickets but it was a great season for the team and my cricket improved.”
“The time at Stretford were two of the best years of my life and playing cricket. I had got to watch city play football which was something I thought I’d only seen on TV. To experience the culture was so enlightening. I had a brilliant time in Manchester and a lot of it was down to the people there and I never forget to catch up with the special people at the club.”
Danie was a
considerate and well respected overseas player who always wore his
heart on his sleeve for the club and although now working in
insurance as an assessor is still involved with the National team and
playing for United Cricket Club in the Namibia Premier League. We
hope that in the future he is able to visit us again.
Follow your dreams like Danie and join the club here…
When Roelof van
der Merwe was asked “where have you been all this time?”
following his match winning Twenty 20 international; debut for South
Africa against Australia in March 2009, his reply was fairly succinct
but you could see the cogs turning for a suitable answer. With a grin
he replied “I’ve been in the wilderness for a couple of years”.
The swashbuckling 48 he made from 30 balls, including four monster sixes was no surprise to anyone at Stretford who saw his raw talent first hand in the summer of 2006 when he signed for the club as a young overseas player at the age of 22 and again at the end of the 2007 season. Far from being in the wilderness, he was making a big name for himself in Manchester.
The year 2006 was Stretford’s most memorable season since their move to the Lesley Road ground and Roelof was massively influential in that title winning year as the club swept aside all comers under the captaincy of Chris Barlow.
“My time at
Stretford was extremely memorable and I have such fond memories of
the club. We played some really good cricket and we were well
supported off the field”
Although Roelof broke all records in 2006 scoring 1349 runs at 71.00 including 8 fifties and 6 hundred and taking 63 wickets at 11 he also acted as a catalyst for home grown talents like Andrew Crowhurst (439 runs) and Chris Barlow (49 wickets) to thrive. His lively and energetic performances and larger than life character provided a spark for the club. Experienced players such as Mike King and Chris Turner (900 runs) also weighed in heavily showing that the club had a great mix of players with plenty to offer both on and off the pitch
“I joined the
club as a young man and I had never travelled away from South Africa
before but the club made me feel right at home straight away all the
way through my stay there for one and a half seasons. 2006 was
immense”
The Stretford
faithful will probably agree that Roelof was an absolute one-off in
terms of his effect on the whole club. The way he played hard cricket
with such a smile on his face was a joy to behold. He left Stretford
with a bagful of runs the size of Jupiter and was the bringer of much
joviality.
He is the most
naturally talented player ever to wear the Stretford Badge but still
reflects that his time with us as being an important time in his
cricket development
“The two years at
Stretford, and the experience it gave me was so important. It gave me
a solid base to work from and fortunately I am still able to enjoy
the game of cricket as a professional 13 years later”
In making his debut for Netherlands in 2011, Roelof became only the 12th player in history to play for two international countriesin ODIs alongside some illustrious names like Kepler Wessels, Ed Joyce and Luke Ronchi however, no matter who he plays for and when, he leaves a lasting mark on any team thanks to his bull dog spirit, will to win and box office talent.
The Stretford faithful always keep an eye out for Roelof and he’ll be representing Somerset in 2020 and playing for Netherlands in the T20 world cup in Australia in October next year. Good luck pal!!
Ryan Williams enjoyed a successful first season at the club following his switch from Rainhill. He’s proven to be a popular member of the squad and earned the respect of his fellow players quickly with his quality all round performances. Having picked up the Players Player of the Year Award, Ryan is now set to start his first full season as 1st XI Captain.
SCC: What is your cricket potted history? RW: I’ve been playing cricket since I was 11 years old and got hooked after the 2005 Ashes which was simply the best series ever. I’ve played Lancs age groups between 14 and 17 and i’ve played for three clubs; Rainhill in the LDCC, Chester-Le-Street and now Stretford
SCC: You’ve had a season at Stretford, how do you feel it went? RW: Really enjoyable. The people have been great with me from the first time I walked through the gates. We had a good season finishing third in the league meaning we are now in a slightly division next season following the GMCL restructure. Making the cup semi final was a highlight, we played very good cricket in the cup with everyone contributing. I was very proud to be appointed captain midway through the season and is a career highlight because it’s an acknowledgement of respect from the players and club and i’m really thankful for that.
SCC: What do you like about the club? RW: I love the togetherness of the club and the can-do attitude the club has. The club is fortunate to have such a dedicated management committee and that helps to emphasise the community feel of the club. I like that we all have a laugh and it’s generally a great atmosphere
SCC: So how do you contribute to that atmosphere? RW: Well I think I am a very easy going person who can be serious. I like to think I am approachable and can have a laugh. I have an old head on young shoulders and as a player I like to lead by example and I’m an experienced player who still believes he can learn.
SCC: How can the club improve? RW: I think we need to believe in the brand of cricket we play and believe in ourself as a club to help us reach our goals. Off the pitch we need to build the junior section but to do that we need to engage with parents more effectively. That’s something I am aiming to do. We have beginners sessions planned for new year and we want to get those sessions filled and incentivise juniors to join the club with the parents being encouraged to get involved. It’s so important to the club to invest in youth and help them through into the senior ranks in a more measured way.
SCC: What do you do away from cricket? RW: I’m a big Everton fan and yes being from Liverpool I do get some stick but its all harmless banter. I enjoy the simple things in life like food and drink and I like watching films and TV series. I love living in Stretford as its full of friendly locals who support businesses to thrive. This area has great transport links, top class sport and shopping nearby so its ideal. I even go for the odd walk around the marina and along the canal. On a day to day basis I work in the city within the Print & Design industry where I design packaging.
SCC: What are your hopes for next season? RW: I really believe that we are strong enough to get promoted next season. We were close last year and with a few more runs on the board we would have gone up. It would be nice to go to a cup final and maybe lift some silver items
SCC: What is your opinion of the music played in the 1st XI changing room? RW: Where do I begin?! I do like some modern music but mainly lots of old classics. Iv’e seen Coldplay lots of times however I have some guilty pleasures like Simply Red, Beautiful South and the Lighthouse Family. I enjoyed the sing song we had in the Longford Tap at the end of the season where the whole pub joined in to High when we put it on the jukebox! I also enjoyed the knees up at the end of season do with a special adapted version of Go West by the Pet Shop Boys. I have a wide taste and even got into some Afrikaans music thanks to Francoise, the overseas player.
Its almost a decade since Australian Mitch Williams played at The Boundary and we managed to catch up for a chat about his memories of the club
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost a decade since Mitch Williams signed for Stretford as overseas player but he still remembers his time at Stretford very fondly.
“I was fortunate enough to be the overseas player for Stretford CC for the 2010 season and what an amazing experience!”
Mitch primarily signed as a batsman and had a very fruitful season amassing over 700 runs and always batted with distinctive brutality. Possibly to his own surprise he also contributed wickets with his bustling medium pace.
Left handed Williams cites his time at Stretford, playing in the MDCA at the time, as a being important in his development as a player.
” The cricket was very enjoyable and I feel my batting developed a lot playing in different conditions. It was very different from playing cricket in Sydney but just as tough. I still play first grade for the Fairfield Liverpool Lions in the Sydney Premier cricket league and have recently passed 200 first grade games for the club “
Though a hard hitting bully with bat in hand, Mitch was a true gent off the pitch and forged some great relationships with everyone at the club, especially the few long suffering Everton fans.
“The people are what made Stretford so special. It had a great family feel and some of the best memories I have are enjoying a beer in the Clubhouse with the locals. Being on the door step of Manchester was also great and I definitely made the most of it!
It was was definitely box office viewing watching Mitch dismissively swat away bowlers to the rope; more Gayle than Gower and hopefully we will see Mitch again soon
” I look forward to bringing my young family to the UK in the next few years and Stretford will be one of the first stop ”
Its the last social before new year, the last chance to wish everyone at SCC a merry christmas and a happy new year, last chance to say bye to Rich Mattehwson who is crossing the Pennines on Dec 20th. Starting at 7.30 pm Disc Jockey McTarten & Disc Jockey McSporren are going to take us through the ages with a christmas karaoke so make sure your name is also in the hat. There will be a nice Ruby Murray and a nut roast available from the kitchen and drinks from the bar. Join in the fun. Free entry and all welcome. Let us know if your coming. Cheers
“Stretford had shown me that I was so much better than I knew. I may have hated school but I had an outlet to express myself without being punched or called names. I was so high after my first wicket that I could’ve fist pumped Helen Sharman “
As a
school big shot bursts through the last line of defence I manage to
stand up tall and tip his strike over the cross bar. As the football
lands safely out of play I’m left in the firing line.
A
vengeful dig is planted into my arm and the jock shouts “You
fu**ing fat ba**ard”, “No wonder I can’t score because you’re so
wide” No big deal right? A small verbal remark and a punch won’t
cause any harm, and it’s not like I took a major beating or had my
head flushed down the toilet.
Imagine though, the same thing happening multiple times per lunchtime or break time every day for four years.
Speaking
up didn’t seem an option and retaliation would only caused further
suffering. Instead I let those school bullies eat away. Any feeling
of self worth dissolved away with every throwaway insult. I was like
the piece of air dried charcuterie hanging from the window which gets
sliced and sliced and sliced until only the hanging hook is left.
Sticks and stones is the worst advice I’ve ever been given because
it’s simply untrue.
One day,
following yet another insult and jab to the solar plexus it all just
became too much. I broke down. Tears began to roll down my face. Most
people were glad it was not themselves getting sledged so remained
passive. There was only one person who asked if I was OK and he took
me to speak to the head of year. I advised the head of year what had
happened but my earlier fears of the situation being brushed under a
rug were confirmed when I was simply told “you’re OK aren’t you”.
Hope was
on the horizon however and it wasn’t down to any education
institution. My spirit hadn’t been totally broken by the idiots but
it was in fact on the verge of being restored thanks to the sound of
leather on willow.
As extra
other curricular activities fell by the way side I found that I
started to focus on playing cricket at my local club. I had joined
with my brothers at the age of 9 after being taken down to the club
by a family friend.
There was
no U9 or U11 team in those days so after a few years of pottering
around at the training sessions where I learned some basics I was
selected to play my first game when I made up the numbers in the U13
team. I spent all Friday nervously trying to make up excuses why I
couldn’t play but it was too late because before I knew it we were in
the car on the way to the match.
During
the game the captain had made a hash of working out his bowlers
spells and it meant I got the nod to bowl. Oh shit. As my arm rolled
over, sweat beads pouring off my forehead, I thought to myself “this
ball could go anywhere, it could even meander into the river at deep
mid wicket”.
“Walking in, on your toes” shouted the
captain; a form of encouragement.
I bowled the slowest ball
you could ever imagine which seemed to take an eternity to reach the
other end of the pitch. It was so lacking in speed that spectators
could be forgiven for thinking that I was trying to bowl spin. As the
ball set off on its course; with the trajectory of a damaged Slinky,
the fielders winced and braced themselves.
The batsman at the
strikers end waited impatiently for the ball to arrive; his eyes
lighting up like the Aurora Borealis. In his haste to smash the ball
to the moon, the batter played across the line of the ball. Although
velocity was not on my side I at least had direction in my favour.
“hang
on I think he’s missed it”………….the ball nudged into middle
stump and the bails fell to the ground. As my team mates rushed into
the centre of the pitch to celebrate the fall of a wicket my mind was
taken back to what happened last time I made a save on the football
pitch at school. Expectantly I tensed my arm and then,……nothing.
Nothing but praise!
The sheer
adulation I felt with a fleeting moment of success with a group of
people who were genuinely pleased for you was totally unreal. Nobody
is digging my arm, instead I’m getting pats on the back and
congratulations. Maybe this club was different? It was the first
place I’d gained some kudos and respect and I’d got my first wicket!
The very
moment the ball struck and tilted back the stump is the moment I fell
in love with the game of cricket, the club and it’s people and when
life started to turn around. I may have hated school but I had an
outlet to express myself without being punched or called names. I was
so high I could’ve given Helen Sharman a fist pump. I actually
belonged somewhere!
Cricket
is very different to most sports because it’s a team game with very
individual elements. Even a beginner can experience glory because
just a single moment can provide a spark. Even the least talented
player gets a chance; it might be a piece of fielding that helps to
dismiss the best batsmen on the opposition or it could be a catch
that changes the course of match. The beauty of the game and probably
of sport in general is that it doesn’t matter who you are, how
intelligent you are, how much money you have, what your daddy does or
where you are from, if you disrespect it and the people involved it
will bite you on the backside. Everyone is equal on a cricket pitch.
As I
focussed more on cricket I found that I improved; quickly scoring my
first 25* retired, taking catches and getting wickets. All I wanted
was for the school day to end so I could go to the cricket club and
practice some more with real friends. It occurred to me that if I put
some effort into the sport and the club that I would be rewarded.
I
grew as a person and gained confidence; both my school grades and
cricket scores increased as I was happier outside school. My first
coach was instrumental in supporting me and was the first person to
treat me as an individual person. This just wasn’t the case in any
other place. I’ve taken on this mantra by trying to treat everyone
with the respect they deserve and I think that attitude is at the
core of Stretford Cricket Club. There has been the odd person who
doesn’t follow that unwritten rule, or the odd person who tries to
buy there way out of issues but they’ve fallen by the wayside.
A year
after my meltdown the school finally decided to create a cricket
team. The PE teacher arranged some trials and asked me to be captain.
In truth the team was average but contained a few experienced
players. Often the team was short and pupils who were in detention
were forced to play. My football pitch nemesis who delighted in my
ritual humiliation was to be our opening bowler. I wanted to give
other people an opportunity so I would bat in the middle order.
Our first
match came around after a couple of practice sessions and confidence
was not overly high from the teachers who didnt even know the names
of fielding positions let alone an understanding of the LBW Law. We
fielded first and restricted the opposition to a score of 110 off 18
overs. The opening bowler finished with five wickets to his name.
Impressive spell but would you expect anything less?
In
reply we quickly lost wickets and slumped to 30-3. I walked in with
determination and knowing that away from the school team I had
already helped my club to win games from similar situations. The
bowlers served up the odd poor ball which was dispatched as we inched
towards the target but we kept losing wickets. We reached the final
over with 8 wickets down needing 5 to win and the the number 10 was
on strike. I was leaning on my bat next to the PE teacher who was
simultaneously umpiring and scoring such was the disorganisation of
the school. Number 10 took huge swipes at balls one, two and three
and was bowled on the fourth bringing our opening bowler and football
lunchtime villain to the crease.
I was now
batting with someone and trying to win the game with someone who had
previously demonstrated that he had zero respect for other people.
You couldn’t write it could you?
“Look,
just get me on strike for the last ball” I forcefully instructed.
Although
initially insulted by the command he nodded and managed to nudge a
single into the off side leaving me on strike for the last ball
needing 4 to win and 4 to reach a half century in the match.
I scanned
the field to weigh up my options; there were no fielding restrictions
and every player other than the wicket keeper was on the boundary.
The bowler ran in confidently but delivered a full ball which missed
the difficult-to-play yorker length and I managed to smear the ball
straight over the top for a once bounce four.
As we
celebrated, the opening bowler, walked over and again I thought back
to those moments on the football pitch. I tensed my arm.
“Really
well batted mate”
This was
probably my chance to unleash a volley of home truths; “mate!?, who
the hell are you calling mate!? But no. It was pretty clear in that
moment, Stretford had shown me that I was so much better than I knew.
I just smiled;
It has taken some pain staking work and a few late nights but I’m pleased that our mid-term Clubmark “Health Check” is complete and signed off by the ECB.
We must not rest on our laurels though! We need to build up our junior section (with link schools, friends of friends, winter nets), recruit more senior players and get more members/parents through some coaching and adult helper courses (all of which we can fund)
Any time that anyone can put back into the club is both needed and appreciated!
If you are thinking about how you can get involved just let us know! Lots of things to get involved with from assisting with the organisation of the junior section, lending some DIY skills in looking after the building, using your green fingers to help on the ground, joining a social committee to arrange some celebrations, doing the odd cricket tea, buying a match ball, sposnoring the club, joining the 100 club, playing a few games, having a drink as a social member………..
stretfordcricketclub.co.uk 