Sport In Profile UK Issue 12 | Page 8

Leeds Modernians FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/SPORT_IP Mark Ripley, Leeds Modernians Cricket Chairman “This is my second spell as Chairman having joined the club as a junior cricketer in 1977. I have had the privilege of being a playing member of the 1st XI when they had won several league and cup titles and also captained the 1st XI. The hardest task for any chairman of a club like ours is finding enough like minded people who are prepared to give up their free time to help the club achieve its ambitions. However, when you see players and officials of the club experiencing success both on and off the field there is no greater satisfaction for any chairman. The cricket section is facing similar challenges that most local cricket clubs face these days, which is a lack of players prepared to commit to playing every week and financial restraints which inhibit investment in the playing facilities. However we have made real progress in the last 5 years having been accepted into a higher standard of cricket in the Aire Wharf Cricket League in 2015 and finishing mid table in our first season. We also have a healthy junior section with 5 competitive teams from U9s through to U17s with over 70 playing members. We are very positive about the future and it is our ambition to be playing 1st division cricket within the next 5 years (currently Division 3). We will achieve this by continuing to attract new players and investing time in our junior section. Our playing field is regarded as above average and the cricket square is regularly complimented. We do need to invest in practice facilities and we are working towards achieving Clubmark status which will help us attain grant money for investment. I believe the progression of the junior section over the last 5 years has made us much more of a community club with many “I believe the progression of the junior section over the last 5 years has made us much more of a community club with many more people within a 3 mile radius now part of our section.” more people within a 3 mile radius now part of our section.” Celebrating 50, Years in Business! Our family business supplies a wide range of garden and landscaping materials from our quarry in Bramhope, Leeds Topsoil, Sand, Gravel, Slate and many types of stone available loose or in bags. Collect or delivery Blackhill Quarry Kings Road, Bramhope, Leeds LS16 8BG T: 0113 267 4386 Open: Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm, Sat: 7am-1pm 8 Issue 12 www.monebrosdiy.co.uk “The club has always welcomed players from all backgrounds but one of the fundamental aims of the club at its inception was to smooth the transition of players from the student and junior game into senior Rugby League. “