THIS Saturday (March 31) sees preparations for the new cricket season really spring further into action at Willoughby Cricket Club.
Club members, players and officials young and old will all be popping to the club’s pre-season ‘clean-up’. It starts from 9.30am through to 12.30pm, and is all part of the national ECB ‘Natwest Cricketforce’ scheme.
NatWest CricketForce is a national volunteer programme which brings together around 85,000 volunteers each year for a busy weekend of renovations.
From painting sight-screens to building new pavilions, the weekend helps to improve facilities at more than 1,800 local community grounds across the UK.
Willoughby CC are encouraging as many people from all sections within the club to get along and pitch in.
The club will again have a couple of incentives to y inspire as many club members to come along and help, including free ‘Natwest Crickeforce’ T-shirts for the first 30, free tea, coffee, soft drinks during the morning, free BBQ breakfast, plus free pint or soft drink for all helpers from the bar on completion of the morning’s ‘work’.
Plus, there will be a competition for the junior members to make a scarecrow, to go towards the club’s involvement in next month’s Scarecrow Festival in the village.
The new 2012 season starts in less than three weeks time.
The first games will see [senior] friendlies at home to Braunston Paddox on Saturday April 14, and Leamington Khalsa on Saturday April 21. (2pm starts).
The first weekend of the new South Northants Cricket League campaign is on Saturday, April 28. The first team will again compete in Division 1 and begin at home to Greens Norton, while Willoughby’s 2nd team (‘A’ side) will begin life back in Division 4 with a visit to Chipping Warden.
The league seasons for Willoughby’s junior cricketers start on Tuesday, April 24 when the U13s make the short trip to Barby. The U15s have their first fixture on Thursday, May 3 with a visit to Long Itchington, while the club’s new U11s team have their first game on Thursday, May 17 with a trip to face Oakfield.
With indoor nets now finished, a series of outdoor net/training sessions for seniors and the Under 11, 13 and 15 youth/junior cricket sections will be taking shape in the coming weeks.
Details of dates and times will be in circulation and posted on the club website - www.willoughbycc.org.uk in the coming week.
Willoughby CC are always keen to welcome new playing members at both senior and junior levels. For further information, contact Karl on 01788 542441, Martin on 01788 334850, or go to www.willoughbycc.org.uk