Cricket Club Issue 42 | Page 41

copley very much aligned to our focus of providing opportunities for young people.” Progression “We have currently a number of juniors playing in our senior teams and also a few girls who are now also making the transition into other local Ladies Cricket teams. This progression is key for us. We now have 4 boys playing for Yorkshire – one at Under 15’s and three at Under 12’s. One of our old boys is ex-Yorkshire and current Warwickshire player, Oliver Hannon-Dalby.” Community “We are very much a community club – and our community focus is also very much at the heart of the Club. We have always put on community events that have ranged from village galas to plot night bonfires. This year we are hosting ‘Food on the Field’ on August Bank Holiday Sunday (30 August) – where a range of ‘stall based’ food outlets will combine with local bands and gala style games to provide an entertaining community day for families and all ages. The day is also being supported by local radio station, Phoenix Radio, who are joining us for an outside broadcast.” Challenges/Ambitions “I think we may find it hard to continue to run the Club on a totally voluntary basis through the next 5 years – although our aim is to continue the culture of volunteering. The increasing demands of a growing and developing Club are relentless and our main challenge is to find the most appropriate, sustainable model that will provide the right balance and still maintain the Club’s family and community culture. Copley Cricket Club has always been a club with ambition. We were founded in 1880 and each generation has developed the Club in some way – several new pavilions and score boxes during the last 100 years, together with land purchases and pitch improvements. The new pavilion in 2012, followed by the severe floods we had several months later, provided a significant step change and challenge – and really we need a period of consolidation. Nevertheless, we remain ambitious and the next fundraising projects will be the surfacing of the access road and car park. Both have become more acute needs following the growth of the Club and the extra footfall and usage. It never stops!” consolidation. Nevertheless, we remain ambitious and the next fundraising projects will be the surfacing of the access road and car park. Both have become more acute needs following the growth of the Club and the extra footfall and usage. It never stops!” www.sportip.biz 41