Junior Section News

    
                             
  Spring is here and the cricket season is just around the corner; the summer of 2005 was by far the most successful ever in terms of results with Ombersley remaining undefeated in age groups from 10 to 13. We are therefore Worcestershire cup and league winners at all these differing age groups and with over 20 boys and girls being selected for county cricket in 2005 and more in 2006, everyone can be pleased with their performance.  
     
  That now is in the past and we must look ahead.  Indoor cricket nets for 12 to 15 year olds are being held at the Elgar High School, Worcester on Sunday March 5th for four consecutive Sundays - 4.15 to 6.00pm. These nets are being run at the same time as senior net practise – a total of five lanes are available - so if you want to come you must let Chris Steele know on 01905 621387 or Richard Wood on 01905 427608.  
     
  The registration weekend is set for Friday April 21st and Sunday April 23rd at 6.15 pm and 9.45 respectively and you must please come to one of these sessions to get you place confirmed on our summer programme. The success of our club means that there are people waiting to join and we need to know if you are joining this year. Membership is once again held at £25.00 per junior and again the session and match fee is held at £2.00 per session. Every junior member must have a completed registration form – there is one enclosed with this letter so please bring it to the club when you register on the third weekend of April.  
     
  The main committee are trying to ensure that at least one parent of junior club members joins Ombersley Cricket Club as a social member at £10.00.  
     
  Boys and girls are welcome and on Sunday coaching is for 11 year olds and under from 9.45. Friday nights are for 12 year olds and over from 6.15 and once again Ombersley to pleased advise that Gavin Haynes, (7500 first class runs for Worcestershire CCC) will be our lead coach. Gavin is also a staff coach for Worcestershire.  
     
  Our website is detailed at the start of this letter and we are hoping to use it much more to bring you information about junior cricket. Please take a look on a regular basis and click on the links to your child’s age group.  
     
  Ombersley is one of only 3 cricket clubs in Worcestershire selected to take part in the £25 million Chance to Shine project. This ECB scheme will see cricket re introduced to 9 more primary schools within a ten mile radius of Ombersley;  this is in addition to our thriving 12 school, school link programme operating at school years 3 4 5 and 6  
     
  I now remind every parent of the continuing, main committee approved, policy over selection. THIS IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH IT PLEASE DO NOT JOIN. Ombersley Cricket club junior section will operate as a community club up to the age of 9 and anyone who shows as semblance of interest will be encouraged. From the age of ten we are trying to provide a high standard of enjoyable, competitive cricket and all teams will be selected on merit. The manager of each team will be solely responsible for the makeup of that team and he will decide, with the captain of the day, the batting order, fielding positions and who bowls when.  
     
  If parents are not satisfied with their child’s opportunities they should endeavour to speak with the age group manager in a calm, dignified manner – not as witnessed on a couple of occasions last summer. Please do this rather than moan and groan behind the manager’s back or indeed whinge in the bar or elsewhere to anyone who will listen. If you remain unhappy then please speak with Chris Steele who is the junior section chairman. Failing that, there is a grievance procedure outlined in the club constitution, which is displayed on the club notice board - or available from the main club secretary.  
     
  After four or five years we are now seeing products of our youth cricket section compete in the senior teams at third, second and even first team level. This is why junior cricket was re introduced to the club and one of the reasons why a growing number of parents and helpers spend many hours of their own time going on cricket based courses such as first aid, chid welfare and protection and ECB approved coaching courses so that your child can enjoy cricket.  
     
  Thank you for choosing Ombersley.  
     
 

Yours sincerely,

Richard Wood

 		  
 

Posted 18th February 2006