ALMONDBURY Cricket Club are hoping to launch two new junior sides next season and are looking for help from the local community.
The Fernside club fielded an Under 13 side last summer for the first time, and they are now keen to extend that with Under 11 and Under 17 sides.
Chairman and club secretary Donald Earnshaw said: “We would like to run an Under 11 side to get youngsters involved from an early age. But, like at several others clubs, we don’t have an abundance of senior players, and an Under 17 team could help provide more senior players.
“But of course to run junior teams, we don’t just need players, but also helpers and coaches to support junior sides, and that is where we are looking for help from the local community.”
With the help of Kirklees sports Development, some interest has already been drummed up through school sessions and holiday coaching camps, while an in-school cricket programme is due to start in six local primary schools in January.
Almondbury are also trying to develop links with the nearby High School and hope to start regular training sessions, along with open days and cricket camps and a tournament next year.
Kirklees Sports Development Officer Paul Cummins said: “To make it a success the club needs not only players, but also support from local residents, many of whom I don’t think even know the club is situated down Fernside Avenue.
“People are needed to fill committee roles, run the teams, help on match days and generally breathe new life into the clubhouse, which has a bar and changing facilities.”
Anyone interested getting involved can contact Paul Cummins, 01484 234093 or email paul.cummins@kirklees.gov.uk
HOLMFIRTH are still on the lookout for more clubs to come forward with a view to playing ‘friendly’ junior games on a Sunday.
Club treasurer and League representative Bruce Jakeman said: “We have had a reply from Paddock, who said they would be interested, but we are still looking for at least another three clubs, which would enable us to play around eight games this summer.
“But I want to stress we are not looking to start a league. These games would be friendly matches but of 40-overs-a-side duration to give young players some experience of playing in longer games.
“Each team would roughly comprise four or five second teamers, made up with half-a-dozen juniors, and our matches would be played at either Holmfirth or Cartworth Moor.
“We are not trying to replace the already existing junior cricket structure, but merely give some of them a taste of what the longer format of the game is like, which would then ultimately help them adjust when they make the step up into senior cricket.”
