The Executive Committee met tonight as the pace of preparations for the new season continues to step up.
We intend to send all members an update following meetings from now on. As you will see, there were a wide number of issues discussed... but please be clear, these are not 'minutes' so this update may not be fully comprehensive and it won't always be appropriate to share full details.
If you feel you have any energy and expertise to offer in helping us to move forward any of the areas mentioned, we would love to hear from you!
We will follow up with specific emails about some of these updates for those of you that prefer slightly pithier messages.
1) Safeguarding Update - This is a standing item at all meetings and actions are underway to ensure that all captains and vice-captains have appropriate ECB DBS checks in place ready for the season.
2) Herts League Cricket (Senior) Update - There were a number of votes at the recent Herts League AGM. All matches will continue to start at 1pm. The 1st and 2nd XI will play 100 over games and the 3rd XI will play 90 overs. There will now be points deductions rather than monetary fines for failure to submit umpires reports and other required match day admin. Full details can be found on the Herts League website.
3) Player Recruitment and Retention - It is a challenging picture for all cricket clubs but we continue to be determined to field three teams this summer and there are some positive signs. The Junior Section continues to be a shining light with tremendous sign up for "All Stars" and fortnightly Junior nets in action. We have had 4 or 5 new players attend Senior nets and express interest in playing. Please support the club by sharing and liking posts on Facebook and cajoling friends and workmates into getting involved. A number of other ideas in this area were discussed and further details will be communicated in due course.
4) "Ground Force" Day - We are scheduling the annual "Ground Force" Day for Saturday 20th April. This is where we invite club members along to support in getting the clubhouse, ground and Steiner pavilion ready for cricket. It is expected that Senior Players will do all they can to support on this day (or in other ways in advance of the season if they can't attend on this date) but we would also like to extend the welcome to Junior members and families to make the day a more "whole club" occasion. If you have particular skills you think you could offer us on this day in terms of DIY/maintenance we would be delighted to have your support. If (like the majority of the committee!) you have no practical skills, there will be plenty of organising, tidying, washing, painting etc to be done. There will be food available and we also hold a Senior Players Meeting on this day to "launch" the season.
5) Finance Update - The club has made a positive start in the first 3 months of the financial year. We discussed further ideas around sponsorship, social events and fundraising for projects that require attention at the club. We are exploring quotes and options for improving the nets, showers and other aspects within the clubhouse in general.
6) Next meeting - We will be meeting again within the next month. We will be following up on the issues detailed above, as well as ensuring we are "cricket ready" for both the Junior and Senior teams, discussing social events/activities and other matters arising.
If you feel there are issues we should be discussing, or you have useful ideas, suggestions or contacts relating to other issues, please feel free to contact me on rjdavis024@gmail.com
We will be in contact with further details on some of the issues above over the coming days and weeks and will provide another update following the next meeting.
Upcoming event: Senior Nets - Monday 18th March (7-8pm, 'Choice' Cricket Centre in Redbourn).
Many thanks
Rich Davis
On behalf of the Executive Committee