The Chairman's Newsletter - 2008

Dear Member

The 2008 season is nearly upon us and I want to share with you news of what has been going on in the closed season and what there is to look forward to throughout the summer.

 

OFF THE FIELD

Sponsorship:

We are very proud to have agreed another year of sponsorship for our 1st XI with Hamptons International who are now in their third year of backing for the club.
We look forward to welcoming them to the ground during the season and particularly on 3rd August when Hamptons will put out a team against the M&BCC Chairman's XI.

We are equally pleased to report that J&S Rook have kindly sponsored our under 11's team for the season whilst Semaphore Advertising have agreed a two year deal to support our under 9's.

Lastly we are also delighted to have also secured the support of The Emperor of India restaurant in Maidenhead who are offering a 10% discount off food to any M&BCC members on production of their (new) membership card. Find out what's on offer at the Emperor of India

The New Electronic Scoreboard:

As you will recall, the generosity of members and friends of the club last year raised enough for us to be able to purchase an electronic scoreboard, which was successfully installed just recently.

In recognition of our gratitude to those whose fundraising efforts made this possible and to get the board turning, Club President Sir Michael Parkinson has kindly offered to officially open ( or perhaps light up) the new scoreboard on 25th April after which we will be hosting one of the clubs ‘Famous Curry Evenings' for which tickets are on sale now; for more details please contact Lynden Baldwin at the Secretary or John Hewitt Club Captain or Steve Bithrey Colts Manager or see the website .

Social Affairs:

There are eight BIG social gatherings organised for the season by our new Social secretary Warren Blackett on Social Secretary so please make notes in the diary for these exciting events;

• 18th April-Colts Evening BBQ and Registration
• 25th April-Curry Evening and Scoreboard Unveiling
• 18th May- Cricket and Hockey BBQ Lunch
• 20th June-Italian Extravaganza
• 23rd August-Caribbean Evening
• 5th September-Colts Awards Evening
• 13th September-Seniors Awards Dinner

In the Pavilion:

We are delighted to have persuaded Jayne Cowell to run the Clubhouse for us this season, and as well as managing the bar Jayne will also be offering a variety of hot and cold bar snacks on weekday and Saturday evenings as well as dealing with the hire of the popular ( and soon to be re-floored) Riveroom for private parties.
Contact Jayne for more details at the Bar Manager

Get the kit:

This year we have made a special arrangement with RAM sports to supply the Club kit for all age groups.
They offer a comprehensive range of clothing and equipment all of which can be ordered through the club at a discount to their normal prices.
We plan to have kit samples available for you to view and order at Colts registration evening ( 18th April) and seniors Intra-club day (19th April).
Lynden Baldwin and/or your team captains and managers will let you have the details so please make sure that you have everything you need as soon as possible.

ON THE FIELD:

Senior Men's Cricket:

Winter nets have been pleasingly well attended by many established players but also by a good number of talented newcomers to the club who we look forward to seeing more of on the field.
We expect competition for places to be keen and this bodes well for an exciting season as all four senior teams look to build on last years success.

The season starts on Saturday 19th April with an Intra- club day when we hope to get as many players as possible ‘in the middle'.

Outdoor training for seniors will be on Thursdays from c. 6.00-8.00pm at the club with the first session on 24th April.

Friendlies start on Saturday 26th April with a fixture against the rather confusingly named Sunday Barbarians whilst the Sunday XI run by Matt Armstrong begins against Kensington on 27th April.

The Thames Valley league season starts on 10th May, and we wish league captains James Coyne, Tom Wilding, Sajad Tariq, Samir Vaja and all of our players the best of luck.

Colts Cricket:

Our colts have also netted well this winter and with our 20 excellent level 1&2 ECB qualified coaches and 25 of our boys already representing the club at either District or County level in different age groups we have high hopes for the coming season.

Colts registration evening is on Friday 18th April when we will also be providing a BBQ, so please come along, sign up and tuck in.

Colts outdoor training will start on Monday 21st for Under 9's, Tuesday 22nd for Under 11's and Wednesday 23rd for Under 15's, whilst the Under 17's are invited to train with the seniors on Thursdays from 24th April onward.

The Under 13's train on Fridays starting on 25th April which is also the first Colts match of the season at home to Boyne Hill in the new ‘County Cup' ( as well as Scoreboard opening and Curry Night!).

This year also sees the first ever M&BCC Colts Cricket Week which we will run at Claires Court School Summer Camp and which will offer 50 under 9's, 10's and 11's a week of cricket based fun.

Please contact Colts manager Steve Bithrey for more details please email the Colts Manager.

The Ladies XI:

The launch of the M&BCC Ladies XI is another exciting new venture and we become only the third club in the whole of Berkshire to field a proper ladies team.
Recruitment has been very promising, the winter nets were well attended and we have half a dozen fixtures lined up.
Outdoor training will also be on Thursday evenings with Amy Newman and Lyndsey White leading the proceedings.
Either would be happy to tell you more or how to get involved if you would like to contact them on Ladies Captain

Well done if you made it this far...as you can see there's a lot going on, and if you want to contact me about any of it please do so on mbcc-chairman

It only remains for me to wish you a very enjoyable and successful season and to thank the very hard working management committee for their splendid efforts during the winter.

Kind regards

Nick Clements

M&BCC Chairman