March 2014 Newsletter

Dear Members

Well with the season starting next month, I am writing to let you know what has been happening in the close season whilst keeping you up to speed with future plans. Once again I shall be asking not only for your help at times, but also for some to take a more active role in the running of your club.

Facilities

Last year we needed to replace our ageing gas boiler, and following discussions with Manx Gas, I am delighted to report that not only did they agree to provide us with a brand new more suitable boiler, but they also had it installed for us, free of charge.

Many thanks to Manx Gas!

The practice nets have been well used for ten years now with minimal spending since they were established. Unfortunately, the time has now come when they need some serious refurbishment and we have bitten the bullet, agreeing to spend a significant amount of money to bring them back into first class condition. I very much hope that this work will be carried out before the end of this month.

We have agreed to purchase a mobile cricket net that will assist in practice sessions, enabling it to be moved onto the square.

We have also ordered boundary ropes and a storage trolley at considerable expense, which is on top of the acquisition of a mower that was purchased in the autumn and is designed for use on the outfield.

We continue to invest in the club in an effort to improve what is on offer to you the members.

The clubhouse is a wonderful asset and is the home for not only our members, but also those of our sister football and hockey clubs. Its upkeep is not cheap at around £20k per year, so we need you to use the bar facility and to support club events, otherwise we will struggle to cover these costs.

Please remember that you can hire the clubhouse for an event at a discounted rate of just £75. It is a great venue for up to sixty people.

We have an online shop where you can buy kit and other things, so to order, please visit  http://www.teamshopbuilder.co.uk/cronkbournecc/findProdByShopId.action

Sponsors

We are very fortunate to have a number of loyal supporters that provide us with financial assistance and you will see their boards around the field.

Baker Tilly Isle of Man is our generous headline sponsor again this year.

We also have wonderful help from the Maitland Group, Synergy IT, Haldane Fisher, Trident Trust, Tower Insurance, MAC Commercial, Capital International, Callin Wild and Harding Lewis.

Many thanks go to all of them, and if you can use their services, that would be great.

             

Senior cricket

Well the season kicks off with a match at Tromode on 26 April between the league champions, yes that is us, and a Rest of the Island XI. This game will have the best local players on show so let’s have a decent crowd and cheer our lads on.

Midweek leagues remain largely unchanged, however at the weekend there will be just ten Premiership games with other formats of cricket being tried in an effort to revitalise the local scene. I am not sure that I fully agree with the changes but we must try our best to make the most of the new challenges.

Steven Slack takes over the club captaincy so we all wish him and the teams well.

Junior cricket

Training nights will remain on Friday evenings.

There have been some changes to the league structure, and we expect there to be three age groups this season, for under 9s, 12s and 15s. The older juniors will be the backbone of one of our midweek teams.

I should like parents to take a more active role this year if possible, assisting the coaches if asked and with transportation to away games. You will enjoy it really!

Peter Crompton will write more fully about the season ahead.

Max Stokoe has qualified as an ECB level 3 coach, which is quite an achievement, and will mean that he will be the only one on the Island, as Gareth Dawson is leaving the Isle of Man later this month.  You will have seen that Max will be running training camps in the Easter holidays for three age groups from 5 through to 16, so if you wish to attend, please contact him soon on  maxstokoe@hotmail.co.uk 

I think that is enough for the moment, other than to say that we always welcome comments and suggestions, so please don’t be bashful and let’s see more of you down at YOUR club!

Best wishes

Jamie Stokoe

jstokoe@manx.net

07624 476085