Cheltenham
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Cheltenham
CRICKET CLUB
In 2016, my son decided that a change of club was needed and at the age of 16, after some
discussion we moved to CCC. Cheltenham offered improved facilities, superb coaching
but above all a great ethos, professional standards and the opportunity to progress to
play at a higher level.
Having been at the club for only one season I was
somewhat amused but also honoured to be asked to
stand for chairman. In the way of many clubs I found
myself on a shortlist of one and was elected in January
2017.
I was attracted to the role as I believed there was the
opportunity to make improvements off the field and
aid the player’s effort. There were many passionate
cricketers at the club but I believed that with a more
commercial approach the club could go much further. I
was an unknown quantity and trust had to be built but
existing officers and members were very welcoming and
supportive. It was evident that despite the popularity of
the club, especially at junior level, long term sustainability
required change. We set about making the small changes
that were relatively easy whilst we considered the longer
term.
We have reinvigorated our girl’s teams and formed a
Ladies team from scratch which in 2019 has really taken
off. Simon Reichwald our head of ladies cricket sums it
up: “We have seen a lot of progress this year in terms
of the Ladies skills and confidence, our current league
position backs this up. They worked hard over the winter
and this had a big impact on our start to the season. I
am delighted to have a thriving fast growing and highly
enthusiastic girl’s squad and with a series of matches this
season we are building the foundations for a strong and
vibrant Ladies and Girls squad at CCC”.
It has been rewarding to see revenue grow. With the
bar now open whenever possible, by extending our Beer
Festival, renegotiating partnership deals and having
attracted new major sponsors’ online wine company
Rude Wines and local solicitors DF Legal, we have
moved forward.
We have also been able to increase our expenditure
allowing us to make ground and pavilion improvements.
We have a much-improved lounge/bar that is bright
and welcoming with refurbished flooring and new
furniture and have introduced additional sight screens,
score boards, and new boundary ropes. We have bought
a defibrillator and are set to install an emergency gate
just in case. Our groundsmen continue to operate at full
capacity, producing wickets for well over 100 games
in a season and even find time to assist with other
housekeeping jobs. We also host multi sports pitches for
two local primary schools.
After four promotions in the last two seasons (ok,
one of those was the skittles team and our 2nds have
since been relegated) the mood at the club is upbeat. We
relish the challenge the return of our 1st XI to Premier
“I used to be a player at Cheltenham CC when I was a ju-
nior and played for a number of years. I moved back close to
the club around four years ago and went down to ask about
any sponsorship opportunities available. We have taken out a
sponsorship with the club since then and have our banner in
the pavilion as well as an advert in the club’s yearbook.
I get down to as many games as I can and it’s also great to
take the family down. I have also taken some staff and clients
down to Cheltenham CC to use the club’s hospitality. From
all of us here at McCauley Construction we would like to wish
Cheltenham CC all the best for the season and I look forward
to being part of the club for many years to come.”
Danny McCauley
42 Issue 50