Shildon Railway Cricket Club is looking to the future, as it resurrects its Under 18s team and introduces, for the first time, an Under 11s age group team. The club will now field four junior teams, competing in the Durham Cricket Board South West Division, in the forthcoming season.
“We recognise that juniors are the way forward and that, by developing our youngsters, we can help ensure the future of the club,” said Chairman John Brennan.
The club will be approaching each of the town’s primary schools and hopes to arrange visits to the schools by coaches from the Durham Cricket Board, as well as providing its own weekly coaching sessions at the ground throughout the season.
“We’re looking to build our Under 11 team around Year 6 and Year 5 pupils and hope that these youngsters will come along in numbers, enjoy the coaching and go on to play for the club for many years to come. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if maybe just one of them went on to bigger and better things and played for the county or even for England?” added the chairman.
Sunnydale School has, for many years, provided the bulk of players for the other junior sides with teenagers from all around the locality also representing the teams.
The club needs players from Years 7 & 8 for the Under 13s team and from Years 9 & 10 for the Under 15s side and will be delighted to welcome players at all levels of ability.
The Under 18s will be made up from those now too old for the Under 15 age group and needs reinforcements from players who are under the age of 18 on 31st August 2014.
“We understand that we’re competing with football, which is a more popular sport and seems to have a season which goes on all year round these days, but we’re confident that there are youngsters out there who could make a success of cricket and enjoy being part of a team in a different sport,” added a club spokesman.
The club is especially pleased that some of the younger senior players from within the club have come forward to help run and coach the junior teams. Joining stalwarts John Young and Mal Dover are Matthew Summerbell, Chris Young, Michael Lumley, Andrew Paterson and Dan Richardson.
It is hoped that parents will also get involved, as the club believes that there can be a role for almost anyone within the club, no matter what skills and experience they may have. More information will be going out to local schools and will be published in The Town Crier but in the meantime, information can be accessed via the club’s Facebook Page and on the Play Cricket website.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
