Cricket: Clubmark status awarded to Paddock

Jan 6 2010 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE town centre’s last remaining cricket club, Paddock, have just received a welcome bonus ahead of the 2010 season in the Drakes Huddersfield League.

The West View Rise club are the latest Drakes League outfit to be awarded the prestigious Clubmark status, which is awarded to sports clubs who have demonstrated a commitment to the development of junior sport and sustainable community facilities.

Club secretary and Clubmark co-ordinator Chris Haigh said: “The ECB’s recognition is testament to the hard work of everyone here at Paddock.

“Over the past two or three years we have reorgansied all our committees, trained more coaches, recruited members and forged relationships with local businesses, and we are now in a strong position to ensure the future progression of the sport for cricketers of all ages and levels of experience in and around the town centre.”

The award – although not guaranteeing success on the field – spells an optimistic turn-around for a club who have had a struggle over the last few years.

Indeed, there were grave concerns over its very future in 2004 when fire destroyed the pavilion.

As well as no changing facilities and scorebox, Paddock also didn’t have a junior team to call their own, and had it not been for the input of the likes of Bob Battye, Kevin Tinsley, skipper Mark Turner and Haigh himself, the club may not have survived.

“The first step was to recruit new committee members and make links with key partners,” continued Haigh.

“Finding Jonathan Schofield, head of PE at Royds Hall School, was a godsend. Jonathan has put so much into developing the junior section at the club and forming links between the club and Brenda Hilton’s outstanding School Sports Partnership.”

Paddock have since developed their junior section and now boasts teams at age groups from nine upwards.

Skipper Turner is also excited about the Clubmark award and the on-going developments at the club.

“Attaining Clubmark shows our commitment to being a safe, effective and child-friendly club.

“We have come a long way in the last couple of years, and it is a significant step forwards for us.

“And we are not stopping now. This winter we are putting in place programmes that I am confident will deliver results on, as well as off the field.”

O’Neills Sports are staging a special Cricket Night at the end of this month in their re-furbished Brookes Yard premises.

Advisors from top manufacturers Kookaburra and Gunn & Moore will be on hand to show off their exciting new ranges and discuss the new designs for the forthcoming season.

Now under new management, O’Neills will also be happy to speak to interested parties over team wear for the forthcoming season at the Exhibition evening, on Thursday, January 28 from 3pm to 7pm. For further details contact O’Neills, on 01484 422455.