Guest Blog: Headley Cricket Club
Headley Cricket Club is our local village club, who we are proud to have been supporting and sponsoring for the past three years.
Headley has over 100 members, with an age span of 6 to 70 years old. They offer cricket for juniors, ladies and men of all abilities in a family-friendly atmosphere. We invited their Club Captain, Richard, to do a guest blog to give you an update of the club’s plans and the importance of sport in the local community.
Here’s what Richard had to say…
Sport and the community are inextricably linked. Just look at the crowds that supported their teams in the Six Nations Rugby Championship last month if you need any proof of that.
Around the country on Saturdays and Sundays many thousands of hopeful parents are supporting their children in their sporting efforts on pitches, athletics tracks or pools. In these days so dominated by electronic devices and social media, it’s refreshing to see that sport, such a basic part of human development, is still so popular.
As a ten year old I took massive pride in representing my primary school at cricket, travelling to another venue, meeting new people, and learning all about competition. That was over sixty years ago, and, unbelievable though it may seem, I am still a part of that wonderful world, both as player and spectator.
Sitting in the ‘Headley Corner’ as it’s nicknamed, in our lovely local pub The Royal Exchange, my fellow team members and I spend many enjoyable hours chatting, reminiscing, and relaxing in the warmth and friendliness that comes about from years of experiencing the highs and lows of competitive sport. The Royal Exchange should be commended for their support and encouragement of the benefits of sport for us all. This is a precious part of our future, and should be treated as such.
The generosity of Kaitlyn and the team has enabled our teams to proudly display the sponsorship on our shirts, so that on the field of play our members can show their strong connection to our local community. No television programme, video game or indeed any electronic substitute can match the experience of participation in community sport.
I myself, as Club Captain of Headley, and a representative of the Surrey Senior 70+ team, have enjoyed many happy and invigorating years in competitive sport and I would highly recommend this life to all. Well done to all those long-suffering parents who travel miles and spend hours supporting their children’s endeavours. Believe me, it is worth it!
So what’s next for Headley Cricket Club?
As of 2019, Headley Cricket Club is thrilled to be expanding the club to have a second ground at the newly built BOSC in Bordon. With a beautiful new pavilion and new playing surface, this is an incredibly exciting time for Headley as it gives us the opportunity to really progress our junior players who are transitioning up to senior level cricket in our 3rd XI team.
Headley’s outdoor training sessions will also take place at BOSC, both for the senior teams and juniors. If you’re interested in coming along and giving it a go yourself (all abilities are very welcome – we can provide equipment), then visit our website to find out our training dates and times. Alternatively, if you have little ones desperate to let off some steam, take a look at our junior sessions here. First session free for newcomers!
Whilst the 3rd XI will be based at BOSC, our 1st and 2nd XI teams will continue to play at our home ground at Headley Playing Fields, just up the road from The Royal Exchange.
Do come along and watch us on Saturdays during the season! There’s nothing like basking in the sunshine in the summer months, watching a traditional English sport from the boundary line.