Stage is set for Langley talent
LANGLEY Cricket Club grants officer Matt Stevens is hoping that the upcoming ECB Club Open Day can be the perfect opportunity for to display the talents and endeavour in junior cricket.
The ECB Club Open Days initiative, supported by Waitrose, is a nationwide programme that aims to help boost grassroots cricket participation by encouraging cricket clubs to open their pavilion doors and welcome guests from their local community for a day of cricket taster sessions and activities.
This summer more than a 1000 cricket clubs will host a Club Open Day nationwide, with Langley one of them on Sunday July 17.
With a new under-13s team, Langley is hoping to better last year’s attendance figures, with a BBQ, bouncy castle and the ever-popular parents vs children game among the proposed event highlights.
The end-of-season festivities is something Stevens in particular is looking forward, and he hopes the benefits will be felt for years to come.
“For us it’s all about showcasing the junior growth at Langley,” he said. “It’s not something that gets to happen very often, and it gives us a chance for parents and sponsors to see the work we do as a club.
“We have big plans for the junior side of the club, so we’re always after any extra help and volunteers that we can get”
Entering its third year, the ECB Club Open Day scheme has proved to be a successful initiative, with 900 clubs holding events in 2014 – a 300 per cent increase from 2013 – welcoming 116,820 guests, with 9,000 becoming new players, volunteers and social members.
Clubs taking part will enjoy £100 food and drink offer from Waitrose to help deliver their event, and Stevens is hoping to get many new faces through the door to keep the success of the day going.
He added: “The volunteers are vital in everything that we do, you can’t run junior cricket without them so if we can get more people involved following this event then that would be excellent.
“Hopefully the rain can stay away and we can have some fun too.”
For more information about Club Open Days, supported by Waitrose, including a full list of clubs registered, visit ecb. co.uk/clubopendays
Langley 1st XI had their game way at Aston cancelled at the weekend, heavy rain left the ground unfit.
Langley entertain Chester County Offices next Saturday and remain in fifth place.
Kerridge’s game at Bowdon Vale fell foul to the weather with rain again the culprit which is now the fourth game Kerridge have had washed out.
This was a game Kerridge would have fancied to claim full 25 points having already beaten them at Clarke Lane.
Match sponsor on the day was Mrs P Walthall.
All eyes to next weekend with hopes that the weather improves with Kerridge hosting Frodsham on the Saturday and a 40/40 cup game also at home on the sunday between Audlem or Holmes Chapel.
Poynton suffered their fourth washout in 12 matches this season last Saturday, when they were due to play Lymm.
Weather permitting, Poynton have a match at Heaton Mersey this coming Saturday that could be crucial in deciding who is relegated from the first division of the Cheshire League.