A few words from the chairman…

The new season is just around the corner and it is good to report that Mighty Minch
has made very positive strides during the winter months to strengthen the
infrastructure of the club.

So, where to start?

First it’s great that our sponsors have once again committed to support us for another season with Red Recruitment, JCo Kitchens, Elite Wealth Management and Thrupp Tyre Company all onboard for the new season. JCo’s support will be seen in a very real sense when we hopefully complete the installation of a new, improved and upgraded kitchen area in the pavilion. Players will benefit from new practice and grounds equipment courtesy of Red Recruitment’s support and the Youth teams will once again be playing in shirts featuring the Elite logo with plans in the pipeline for another junior ‘goodie’ featuring their branding. Thrupp Tyres are our longest supporting sponsor and they will once again be covering the cost of the all-important club fixture card.

Thanks once again to all.

As a club we have also decided to pursue ECB Clubmark status which – if we achieve it – will put us up amongst the County elite. At the last count Gloucestershire had 35 Clubmark accredited teams – quite a few in Bristol – out of the nationwide total of just under 2000. So heady heights indeed.

As well as the ongoing clubmark application, your committee has been working very hard in the dark winter months to get a number of initiatives off the ground. The development and strengthening of the club both on and off the field is a real focus; we want to make this a really fun and enjoyable club to play for and be involved with!

Pete Wallis has secured us a great deal on a new flat sheet cover, in the hope that we might be able to save a few more games from those inevitable Friday night downpours.

A grant has been applied for under the ECB Small Grant scheme in the hope that we can fund some improvements to our pavilion’s kitchen.

We’ve signed up to this year’s Natwest Cricketforce event on the weekend of the 28-29th of March.  This is a great opportunity for us to get together pre-season and do some work on the grounds and pavilion before the season starts.  Please let us know if you can spare sometime to come up to the ground and help out!

The social committee have a number of exciting events in the pipeline, including the ever popular golf day and a family orientated club day in May.  The first social of the year will be a pre-season quiz night to be held at the pavilion on the 25th April.  More on all this to follow soon…

We have also embarked on a recruitment campaign for senior team players. Although we have a healthy youth section the transformation from boys to men’s cricket is not what it could be. Again we are hampered by no under 15 team but we simply don’t have the players. But we have a healthy take up at 11’s and 13’s so things look bright for the future. We must also remember that youngsters progressing into men’s cricket from age 15 onwards are often unavailable for a large part of the season. Students studying for exams and those away at university or college mean they often are not really available until mid/late June.

This can have a big effect on selection.

Against this background we simply need a larger pool of players and that might well include you reading these notes. Dad’s of lads are often former cricketers and while not committing to every week, may well be able to help on an occasional basis.

Dad’s we need you!

Call Jaime on 07816 334698 if you think you can help.

It looks like an exciting summer ahead – as ever it is all weather dependent. But your support is vital – please give it your best shot.

Warm regards,

Chairman
Mike Waring.