Rolleston Cricket Club Update - January 2012‏

Hello All,

Just a quick update on various matters in and around the club so far. The season is fast approaching and we are now gearing up for some hard work and preparation for the new season. I have listed below certain things that may concern you, it may not, but please take it all in so you are up to date with everything that is happening.

Indoor Nets : Begin on Sunday 5th February at John Port School – Juniors 2 pm to 3 pm – Seniors 3 pm to 4 pm.

Extra Indoor Nets : We are also aiming to run an extra night of indoor nets at Abbotsholme School, Rocester, on Friday’s starting very soon. We need to gauge the numbers who will attend, as we need to cover costs of hiring the nets. Start 5.30 pm to 8 pm, we have the use of 3 net lanes and a bowling machine. These sessions will be intense with fielding drills and fitness. Seniors only to begin with, may add Juniors if numbers need boosting.

Players : We are in negotiation with a few players who have shown an interest in joining us next season, these are ongoing and we may well see some new faces at indoor nets. We have invited an Australian player from Perth to play for us next season, a top to middle order batsman and leg spin bowler. He is in his early 20’s and has played for Western Australia Under 19’s. He plays in a very high standard in WA, and is very, very keen to come over and play for us. He will be coaching and getting involved in everything Rolleston, we have a few loose ends to tie up, but it looks like 99% certain he will be with us for late March. All funding for the player has been sought from outside the club, hence there is no finance being made available from club funds.

Juniors : We are running 2 teams at Under 15 age group, with a team entered in the Burton League, and 1 in the South Derbyshire League. Games are played on Thursdays and it enables players to be placed into either team if it is found that they are not participating. The aim of running the 2nd team is to get players who would normally not get a regular bat and bowl, to participate more often, this team will be run on the basis of everyone getting a game, irrelevant of the result.

Kit : Kit can be ordered at anytime, and we plan to carry a small stock, so if you need it during the season then it should be readily available.

We have secured funds from sponsors to provide us with a set of coloured playing shirts for Rolleston to compete in 20/20 matches and look professional against other kitted out teams. The shirts will be made available for indoor cricket matches, willowers matches if required.

Funding has also been made available to provide all 4 senior teams with a Surridge polo shirt for arrival to matches and be worn on matchdays. These shirts retail at £ 25.00 EACH, but due to the generosity of Martin Lawley, Land Rover Stafford and Gill and Clive at Ace Sports, we are asking all players to contribute £ 5.00 towards the cost of this. I am sure you will agree, we will certainly look the part when we arrive at home and away matches. These shirts will also be made available to Social and Non-Playing members and Scorers. Allyou need to do is WEAR THEM ! You can pay weekly if needed.

Advertising/Sponsors : We are actively seeking sponsors and advertisers in different ways. We would like to display more advertising boards around the ground, it enhances the ground and brings in much needed funds for projects which at the moment is upgrading of the practice nets. A letter will be sent to all member asking for any information you have of contacts and people who we may contact with a view to advertising/sponsoring. An advertising board is £ 150.00 for the first year, then reduces for further years. A board can be shared by two companies for £ 75 each. A vinyl banner can be placed at the ground for around £ 60.00.

A match ball sponsor can be done for £ 10.00 to £ 15.00.

PLEASE, PLEASE, ask at work, at places you frequent regularly and friends and family, you need not do anything else all season, but just one phone call and you have done your bit for the club.

60 Club : Barry Wynne is drafting a letter for a 60 club which we will be starting early this year, £ 5.00 per month with winnings of £ 50.00 per month for 10 months, and a £ 300.00 prize in July and a £ 500.00 prize at Christmas.

And Lastly....what it’s all about CRICKET !!! : As well as the normal League fixtures for all the Junior and Senior teams, we have extra fixtures this season, with the club being entered in the Dunstall 20/20 knockout, the Rotary Club 20/20 Knockout, the DCL 20/20 knockout which we are staging the group stages at Rolleston on Sunday July 1st, the Brewery Cup, which is now 60 overs from round one, which we have drawn Ticknall (Bring them on !), the Divisional Cups for 1xi and 2xi, and also this year we have entered the National Village Knockout for the first time, with a chance of playing in the final at Lords ! Also a match against the MCC 10th August to celebrate our 125th Year anniversary.

A lot of cricket and a great opportunity for all players to stake a claim for a place in these prestigious matches.

We are also running various functions throughout the year, including a 6-a-side day in June to celebrate the Queens Jubilee on Monday 3rd June. A take-away curry/chinese/fish and chip night is being arranged for early February, and a Darts competition night on Friday February 10th. We want your support for all these functions and want you to enjoy Rolleston Cricket Club.

If you need anything or want anything explained, please feel free to contact me via email, or call/text 07890 127273.

Kind Regards,

Mick Haynes (Club Captain)