Chairman's Report for the 2011 Season
Another season has gone by and once again we have not had the best of times with our 1st team. They have again been relegated and this was particularly disappointing after the great start we had. Steve Carmody has not been able to field the same team 2 weeks on the trot and this has not been only one player missing but often quite a few so under these circumstances Steve has done well to field a side every week.
We have to alter this for next season and try to play a regular eleven even if they are not the best players at least it will give some consistency to both the 1st and 2nd teams. The 2nd team again has suffered with the 1st team taking players often on a Saturday morning but Jon Potter has nearly always managed to put out a side and in the end did very well to keep us in the division. The 3rd team, under Rob Sin’s leadership, have had a tremendous season finishing 2nd in their league and this was done with playing many of our youngsters from the Academy so many congratulations to them.
It has been great to see our ladies team playing in hard ball cricket games and they have improved greatly over the season and again our thanks go to Gerry Goodwin for all his work with the ladies.
The Academy has again gone from strength to strength with both their enthusiasm and all round improvement. This has again been achieved through the hard work of Simon Smith and all the coaches who have spent hours and hours of their own time in bringing these youngsters along. I cannot praise high enough the valuable work the coaches have done and I am sure the whole club joins with me in thanking each and everyone of them.
Jon Potter has again done his usual great job in ensuring the monies have been collected as well as keeping the parents informed of everything that has been going on during the season. Sundays would not be the same without our Steph and her helpers who have kept the hungry fed and watered and a big thanks to all of them.
There are so many people to thank and I know that there are many clubs who would love to have the members of your committee carrying out that they do for this club. I know my job is a lot easier because of their help and I thank each and everyone of them for their contribution.
I know you will all join with me in thanking the following for their brilliant work this season:
Geoff Clay and Pat Carmody for once again spending hours and hours making sure you are still playing on excellent pitches every week.
Peter Guest for arranging all the evening league matches, opening up the pavilion and manning the bar for all these fixtures.
Mike Turner for his usual unpaid work as 2nd team umpire
John Gell for his good housekeeping on our finances
Greg Bloor for his work on the web site
All of the Coaching Staff
Steph Blake for the incredible work throughout the season – I am sure she has spent nearly as much time at the ground as she has at home. Looking after her new baby as well as Steve, duties as Club secretary, providing endless food at weekends and social events. As well as this both Steph and Steve have kept the bar stocked all season and still found time to organise the odd event we have had this year. It is no wonder the Sportsperson of the Year went to Steph and was truly so well deserved.
All your Committee Members who again have worked very hard for you.
We have not had many social events during this season but Steve will be arranging some and I urge each and everyone of you to support these .
As most of you probably know Wilsons have given up the participation in the ground sharing at Regatta Way and this means that Geoff Clay and Pat Carmody will be looking after the square and that Peter Guest will have a lot of work on hiring the pitch out. These means that assistance will probably be needed to help with these tasks so please do your best to help as and when required.
We must again give thanks to our sponsors particularly Hallmark Tapes and Beechdale Construction. It takes a lot of money to run the facility at Regatta Way and we would be struggle to survive without the continued support of our sponsors.
I am convinced that with the Academy continuing to bring players through, the ladies team getting better all the time and the overall enthusiasm of the existing players, coaches and committee members we can look forward to a brighter future.
Peter Owen
Chairman