Abingdon Vale
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Abingdon Vale
CRICKET CLUB
A
bingdon Vale CC was
first formed in 1993
following the merger of
two local clubs and they
now have 4 sides competing in the
Cherwell Cricket League. Cricket Club
Magazine caught up with their Cricket
Committee Chairman Paul White to
find out how they are getting along at
present.
Atmosphere
He told us, “We had a difficult 2014, but
we have come through it. I have spoken
to a number of the senior players this
winter and we are adamant that we
are going to put processes in place to
develop individuals and not necessarily
as a group. There is a thought that for too
long training sessions have been about
everyone’s needs rather than simply the
individual. If this theory works at 1st XI
level, we will try to put this through to
all other levels.
We entered 2014 as a consolidation
year and by this we were successful.
All four sides stayed in their respective
divisions and we only had to cancel one
4th XI game due to poor availability.
The big positive again for the club
was the amount of juniors that we had
coming through and wanting to play
senior cricket and hopefully we can
keep bringing them through the teams.”
Youth
“Youth cricket is very important to the
club as we all realise that it is the future
lifeblood of the club. A couple of years
ago, the junior membership peaked
at around 120, but this has plateaued
in the last couple of years to about 80
members.
In this time we have been very successful
and therefore it has been difficult to
keep everyone happy and there has
been the natural drift away of a number
of players. I think that we probably need
to boost the numbers again by targeting
the youngest groups (i.e. the six and
seven year olds).
A couple of years ago, I did a check
of those that played senior cricket for the
club in that season and I think that of the
100 players that played for the club that
year, over 50 had directly come through
the club’s junior section. This did not
include the fathers that have also joined
the club as their children have stated
playing.”
Integration
“Bringing the Under 15s into train with
the seniors pre-season is very important,
as it gives them understanding that
there is a natural progression within the
club beyond junior cricket. There are
also a number of talented 12 and 13 year
olds that we will almost certainly want
to play league cricket in the summer, so
they will be invited as well to meet
up with people and get to know
the Captains of the club’s 3rd
& 4th XIs.
One of the positive
things we have done in
the last couple of years,
is to reward any junior
player that scores a
league 50 or takes a
5-fer by giving them a
laminated certificate of
their achievement with
a copy of the relevant
scorecard on it. This is a
small gesture, but shows
some reward for their
efforts.
In fact, due to some grumblings from
a couple of the senior players, we
may have to extend this to all players.
Previously, we have awarded these at
End of Season Awards ceremonies, but
I think that in future I will issue these
in the bar after the following week’s
games, to increase inclusivity. Anyone
that wants to play senior cricket are
more than welcome to attend senior
training in the summer, along with their
age group coaching sessions.”
Community
“As well as the cricket c