Sport In Profile UK Issue 12 | Page 52

Ryton Cricket CLUB FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/SPORT_IP Ryton Cricket CLUB R yton CC enjoyed a year full of progress in 2015 and is working hard to ensure that they can enjoy more success in 2016. We caught up with club representative Aidan Lawson recently to find out more about how they have been getting along lately. He told us, “I have been a member of Ryton Cricket Club since 1952. I joined at the age of seven because my father had been secretary of the club, and cricket was then a very popular sport in the area.” “We have a most amazing team of volunteers at our club and a thriving junior section supported with an excellent coaching team. The most rewarding aspect of being a committee member at Ryton C. C. is to see the progress we have made in developing first-class facilities, and the success we 52 Issue 12 have had in recent years with our junior teams and second eleven. “There are s e v e r a l challenges to each and every amateur sports club and Ryton is no exception maintaining playing strength when so many are obliged to work on weekends, generating the funds required to operate, as well sustaining and developing facilities are the main challenges. “The mood in the club is very positive and optimistic - with the formation of a 3rd senior team, and many promising young cricketers emergi ng from the junior ranks, a new equipment store being constructed and further development planned. “2015 was a terrific year - only one game was cancelled due to the weather. The second senior side won promotion, the under13 team were champions, the under11 team were runners-up without losing a game, and the first eleven were narrowly pipped for promotion. “For the 2016 season we have recruited a top professional, and look forward to a successful season with promotion of the first team at the end of the season. We expect to see even more of our junior members joining the Durham County Player Pathway development programme.