Between the Wickets - Spofforth Cricket Club

NatWest Cricket
Force
NatWest Cricket Force weekend is the
largest volunteering programme in British
sport and here at Spofforth Cricket Club
it will take place over the weekend of
Saturday/Sunday March 31, April 1. Cricket
Force encourages cricket supporters, their
families and friends to give something back
to their local community cricket club by
volunteering to undertake major and minor
renovations to grounds and clubhouses.
Whilst here at Spofforth we have no major
projects planned there is still work to be
done to get our ground and facilities into
shape for the start of the season in mid
April and we invite you to come along and
get involved. Despite the whole weekend
being set aside for the project we fully
expect to complete all the work on the
Saturday.
Please do come along and help to paint,
clean and generally tidy up. We will feed
and water you throughout the day and
you may find you even enjoy it. There is
usually plenty of fun and laughter to be had
during the course of the day. For further
information please contact Terry Kavanagh
at kavanagh.spofforth@virgin.net or by
telephone at 01937 590499.
Clubhouse Development
Your Management Committee continues
to look into the redevelopment of the
clubhouse as mentioned in the October
2011 edition of “Between the Wickets”.
Not as much progress as we would have
hoped has been made over the winter
months mainly because of the demands
being placed upon us by the ECB, our
principle hope for financial backing. Their
requirements are way over and above what
we feel is necessary for a village club of our
size. We are currently looking at alternative
sources of possible funding where the
requirements are not as stringent. We will
keep all members informed as and when
matters progress.
Bonus Ball
Once again the club will be running the weekly National Lottery Bonus Ball draw based on the Saturday evening draw. The draw will
commence on Saturday 5 May and will run for 20 weeks. The cost is just £1 per week payable in advance and the person whose number
matches the Saturday bonus ball will win £25 with the remainder going towards club funds. To ensure you get your number please contact
any member of the Management Committee or e-mail kavanagh.spofforth@virgin.net. Numbers will be allocated on a first paid first served
basis.
A message from the Chairman
First of all may I take this opportunity to thank everyone for the smooth transaction of moving from the Wetherby League after more
than 50 years to the Nidderdale League. I believe this will be one of the biggest steps the club has ever made and definitely the right one.
Congratulations to James and the rest of all the first eleven on winning, firstly the Barrett Cup [ Evening Cup ] and then the 2nd Division
Championship. Also extremely well done to Nigel and the second team where they finished 5th in their Division.
What a great start to life in the Nidderdale League. Let’s see what silverware the teams can bring back to the club this season..
Also my thanks go out to all the committee members who have either put themselves forward or were even press ganged into it. Hopefully
things won’t be too difficult in 2012. After last year, when the Cycle Challenge by the two Simons raised over £3,500 for the club and Martin
House Children’s Hospice, you want to do a fund raising event to help the club then please let a member of the committee know asap and
we will be here to try and help you.
Stephen Gill
(Chairman)
Schools Coaching
Once again the club has obtained funding from the English Cricket Board (ECB) through the Chance to Shine programme to send coaches into
six local Primary Schools (Spofforth, Sicklinghall, Kirkby Overblow, Deighton Gates, Crossley Street Wetherby and St Joseph’s Wetherby). We
are indebted to Ian Powell, our Yorkshire Cricket Board Cricket Development Manager for his support in obtaining the funding and to Sam
Anderson of SA Sports Coaching for carrying out the actual coaching on our behalf. Let us hope for an influx of new young talent into the club.
If you are interested in any private coaching Sam can be contacted through his website www.sasportscoaching.com.
Between the Wickets
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SPOFFORTH CRICKET CLUB
Selling property is our business
By Jeremy Hopkinson FNAEA
It’s natural to reflect back on what was another remarkable year
of success at Hopkinsons and to plan for 2012. My philosophy
remains the same - good communication and working hard to
find the right property for registered applicants and to provide
the best service levels and results.
At Hopkinsons we specialise in residential sales focusing all our
experience into selling property. For 2012 I have assembled the
most talented team I have ever worked with. Pamela Foster
joined the team on 6 January, making 10 members of staff who
work happily as a well drilled team.
As we start our third year on Prince’s Street I think 2012 will be
a challenging year but for a hardworking team like mine we will
March 2012
Issue 46
A message from the President of the Club
I would like to send you best wishes from me, and from the other officers of the club, for the coming season, hoping we have a very successful
one.
Last season as most of you know we had a very successful inaugural season in the Nidderdale League with the first team winning the second
division, plus the knockout cup, but above all it is fair to say that everybody within the club enjoyed their cricket in their new league, something
that cannot be said of previous years. May I thank all those who have contributed either to the playing or administration success of the club,
one which the whole village should be proud to be associated with.
Just one point to add the club won the best kept cricket ground in the league award. Congratulations to Brian Marshall and his fellow workers.
As president I am able to report that virtually in every department we have the most enthusiastic officers and committee members plus a
very enthusiastic junior section with all their coaches and helpers. In my many years connected with the club I have never known a happier
and more enthusiastic club.
Finally, if you are new to the village whether you play cricket or not, pop down to the cricket field and introduce yourself, you will be made
very welcome.
Best wishes to you all
Ken Lakin (President)
make sales happen.
“The staff at Hopkinsons were consistently polite and efficient,
working to ensure that every part of the sales process was
handled with the minimum of fuss. Hopkinsons’ willingness to
get the details right leaves you feeling that your property is being
given the best possible chance in the market. We agreed a sale
- at exactly the assessed value - within a month”. Mr K,
December 2011
My property portfolio is extensive, I personally oversee all
listings and transactions, providing the service levels my clients
expect and deserve.
Tel: 01423 501201 or call in at 16 Prince’s Street, Harrogate HG1
1NH. www.hopkinsons.net to register your requirements or
book a free open market appraisal
Spofforth Cricket Club Charity Golf Tournament 2012
Supporting Martin House Children’s Hospice
Sunday 13th May 2012 – Flaxby Golf Club
Tea/Coffee & Bacon Buttie
18 holes of Golf
2 Course Carvery Meal
All for only £45.00 pp
For Further Information or to book please contact:
Steve Gill
M: 07881957395
E:chauffeur_gill@yahoo.com

2012 SENIOR CRICKET PREVIEW
It doesn’t seem long since 1st XI skipper Jim Roberts was picking
up the trophy for the 2nd division championship at the Nidderdale
league dinner, and here we are on the verge of the new season; a
season which sees the club enter the Nidderdale league 1st division
for the very first time.
2011 was a year of new beginnings, one of finding our feet in a new
league after fifty years of life in the Wetherby league. I think we as
players all agree that the move has been nothing but a huge success,
and would like to thank everyone involved at the club for backing us
in this new venture.
Onto 2012; what does this season hold for Spofforth? New challenges
await all the senior teams, both on a Saturday and Wednesday evening.
After last seasons fantastic achievements (one defeat all season) the
1st XI now take on the cream of the Nidderdale league 1st division.
Certainly a tougher season lies ahead, but one which should hold no
fear. The side is very similar to that of 2011, plus hopefully one or two
new additions before the season opener, to make us very competitive.
The 2nd XI again compete in division 5, and after finishing equal 4th
last season, they should be more than well equipped to push on and
look at gaining promotion this time around. The side should benefit
from one or two more experienced players, who should compliment
the number of junior players who now have a year’s senior cricket
under their belts.
The evening league sides should both be in positions to push on after
last season, and given a little more stability on the selection front,
should both be looking to gain promotion and/or have a good cup
run.
I wish you all an enjoyable season, full of runs and wickets;
Simon Taylor, Chairman - Senior Cricket
This year we have again returned down under to acquire the services of our overseas player, and as per the previous few years he is a
Melburnian. His name is Ben Nethersole, who plays for Malvern Cricket Club in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association competition; a
competition they have won for the last two seasons. He is an opening bowler, who can also bat in the middle order, or be used as a pinch hitter.
Player Profile:
Name: Ben Nethersole
D.O.B: 04/04/91
Current Club: Malvern CC (http://malvern.cricketvictoria.com.au/index.html)
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium-Fast
Batting Style: Left-hand
Best Bowling: 6-68
Best Batting: 158
Hobbies: Reading, music, fishing, talking rubbish with friends (will fit in well at Spofforth!)
Fav. Food: Indian, Vietnamese, English (esp. Bangers & Mash)
Fav. Drink: Cold beer
Ben will be living in the village, as Nick Ross has very kindly agreed to accommodate him for the summer. Many thanks to Nick for this gesture;
having one twenty-something messy cricketer in the house is bad enough, but two...?
I am sure you will all join me in wishing Ben all the best during his stay with us and give him a warm Spofforth welcome.
Simon Taylor, Chairman - Senior Cricket
Junior Section
After last season’s highly successful debut in the Nidderdale Junior League we eagerly look forward to the 2012
season. This coming season will see teams entered at 5 different age groups from under 9 through to under 17.
Team managers for the forthcoming season are Under 17 – Nick Warwick, under 15 – Paul Jackson, under 13 –
Ian Giddings, under 11 – Lucas Bateman and under 9 – Jason Westerman.
By the time this newsletter reaches you winter Indoor Nets will be well underway at St John Fisher School
despite the delayed start due to work being undertaken at the school.
The Friday evening outdoor coaching sessions will commence on Friday 13th April with the usual 6.30PM start
and please ensure that your child is wearing suitable training attire and is ready to actually start training at
6.30PM.
Help is needed on a Friday evening particularly with the younger age groups where we would benefit from some
additional volunteers to assist our qualified coaches. You do not need any experience of cricket and will never
be asked to do more than assist in the planned session. If you think you could help please give Simon a call on
07968 321535. Similarly help is also required in the Tuck Shop on Friday evenings. Please contact Rachael at:
rheenan@beachcroft.com for details. Your help in both areas would be very much appreciated.
During the course of the summer the club will be running coaching courses at six local Primary Schools, Spofforth,
Sicklinghall, Kirkby Overblow, Deighton Gates, Crossley Street Wetherby and St Jospehs Wetherby. Our thanks
to Sam Anderson at SA Sports Coaching for his assistance with this exercise.
Finally, and most importantly, Junior Registration will take place at the cricket club on Friday 30 March from
6.30PM. Membership forms are available to download via the club’s website: www.spofforthcc.org.uk
We look forward to seeing everyone down at the club during the course of the summer.
Membership
Enclosed within this newsletter is the social membership renewal form for 2012 which can be completed and returned to the Treasurer
whose address can be found on the form. Alternatively you can hand it to any club official or leave it at the clubhouse with the bar person.
The form is for social membership only and must not be used for junior or senior membership. For details regarding junior membership
please contact either Simon Giddings at simon.giddings@virgin.net or Rachael Bateman at rheenan@beachcroft.com. For potential senior
players the contact is Simon Taylor at simon.taylor@rsim.co.uk
Sponsorship 2012
The club is delighted to announce the following sponsorship deals have been agreed for 2012
Main Sponsors: T & R Theakston Ltd and Classic Drinks
1stX1 matches: Investec Wealth and Investment
2nd Xl matches: Thermac Hire Ltd
Evening League 1stXl: thedecoratingcentre.com
Evening League 2ndXl; Wetherby Tool Hire Ltd
Under 17 matches: Hopkinsons EstateAgents
Under 15 matches: David Moor Chartered Surveyors
Under 13 matches: The Market Place Delicatessen
Under 11 matches: Dacre Son and Hartley
Under 9 matches: NDL Ltd
Money,money, money
Makes the world go round, the love of it
is the root of all evil – and cricket clubs
need it to survive.
I’m not going to do anything as gauche
as put out an appeal for sponsorship for
my own club here in the YP. Instead, I’m
going to do it on behalf of all clubs.
As the nights get ever so slightly lighter,
there are a lot of weekend cricketers
around the county whose tummies are
getting a little fluttery knowing that the
next season is closer than the last. And
we’re all starting to think about the
financial running of the club for another
season.
I’ve been trying to think of another
reason why, if you’re a business or a
moneyed individual, you might want to
lend your local club a hand.
The best reason I can think of is to get
you to imagine not being able to drive,
walk, ride past a field in summer and
spot a cricket game. Not being able to
stop to idly watch for a moment – or
Annual General Meeting
One very significant change took place at the November 2011 Annual General Meeting when Mrs Sandra
Gill was elected Secretary to replace John Addison who stood down for personal reasons after 10 years in
office. John was elected a Vice President as a thank you for his contribution to the club during his term of
office. Sandra is an experienced cricket administrator having spent a number of years as Match Secretary for
the Wetherby Cricket League and we welcome her on board and look forward to working with her in the
years to come. Barry Nickels, who stood down as Chairman at the November 2010 meeting, was elected
a Life Member of the club in acknowledgement of his many years service as Committee member, Junior
Chairman and Club Chairman.
many – the sight of a cricket field in the
English countryside in a glowing summer
and all the wonderful things that evokes.
Imagine not spotting those shimmering
white figures as the sun drops low
across this green and pleasant land on
a summer afternoon. Seems as good a
reason as any.
Reproduced with kind permission of the
Yorkshire Post and Nick Ahad.
Dog Fouling
Over the course of the winter the problem of dogs fouling the cricket ground has once again become a serious problem. With the 2012
season about to commence we once again appeal to all dog owners to please walk their dogs elsewhere and at the very least to collect up
and take away any mess that your dog leaves behind. With the many youngsters who use the ground throughout the summer I am sure you
will appreciate the Health and Safety problems this could create. Your co-operation will be much appreciated.
Young Cricketers join Yorkshire Pathways scheme
Three young cricketers who play some or their entire cricket at Spofforth have been chosen to take part in the Yorkshire Cricket
Board Pathways to Cricket Excellence scheme. 15 years old Megan Kenyon has joined the Women’s Silver Level at Headingley, 11 year
old Toby Giddings and 13 year old Tom Lawson have entered the Bronze Level for places at the Harrogate Centre at St Aiden’s school.
Many congratulations to them all, they are a great credit to our club.