WELCOME TO THE 2016 SEASON
Dear Member
It will not be long now before the start of the 2016 season at Lisburn Cricket Club, a season which brings with changes at our club. Our professional, coaching, playing and administrative set ups have all undergone significant transformation over the close season, and with it comes exciting new times and new challenges.
We are delighted to introduce Cody Chetty as our new club professional, replacing Darryl Brown who was with us for 4 seasons. Cody comes with a good reputation, both as a player for the Dolphins in South Africa, and also as a coach. We look forward to seeing him scoring runs on the pitch and working with our players and in the local schools. I know you will all give him a warm Lisburn welcome when he arrives later in April.
In addition, we have a new club captain. Adam Berry takes over the reins from David Simpson, who put in a determined 4 year shift and now takes a well deserved break from leading the club. We wish Adam all the best for the season ahead. He will have additional assistance from the likes of Steve Lazars, who is joining us from Ballymena, and with a couple of other new faces competing for slots on the first XI, it promises to instill new excitement for our supporters.
Our coaching team is also shaping up well at youth level. John Glass will lead his already successful and undoubtedly talented Under 15 squad in a quest to build on their performances at U13 level last year. Callum Atkinson, who recently attained the ECB Level 2 qualification, will assume control of the U13, where he will have able support and assistance from the likes of Richard Wiseman, Neil Doak and William Blair. I will be looking after the U11 this season, and will draw upon Josh Mulligan and other senior players for assistance. And, for the first time, we will be running a minis for the Under 9 age group (kids essentially in P4 and P5). Andrew Brown and Ian Glass will be in charge of this age group and we hope to see plenty of enthusiastic youngsters, both boys and girls, down at these sessions.
JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION EVENING
We intend to hold a registration evening for youth players, both existing and new. We have set in place a number of different policies for the season, ranging from a code of conduct to child protection, and this evening will provide an opportunity for youth members and, importantly, their parents, to meet their coaching team, gather together the administrative paperwork, and to sign up for the 2016 season.
This evening will take place at the club on Friday 15th April from 6.30pm-7.30pm. Refreshments will be available. It is important that the kids and their parents make every effort to come along that evening and for all registration matters to be completed as quickly as possible.
OUTDOOR SESSIONS WILL COMMENCE ON MONDAY 18TH APRIL
Mondays: U11 and minis: 6.30-7.45pm
Tuesdays;Adult practice: 6.30-8pm
Wednesdays:U15 and U13s: 6.30-8pm
Thursdays:Adult practice: 6.30-8pm
In a departure from previous seasons, the Under Age sessions will continue in the evening times throughout the summer until late August, and will not revert to during the day time. We do, however, intend to run at least one week-long summer scheme, which will be open to everyone, and you are asked to keep an eye on our various outlets for details of that when they are finalised. We are also actively considering additional coaching camps with the professional, and again, details of that will be finalised in due course and we will send out information accordingly.
JUNIOR MATCHES
The club has entered teams at U11, U13, U15 and U17 level. There are a considerable number of fixtures over the course of the season, and we will be very much reliant on the support and goodwill of parents, as well as the commitment and dedication of our coaches and volunteers. We have undertaken a review of our procedures and have identified that in recent seasons, there has, on occasion, been a gap between the communication expectations of parents and our own efforts. That will be addressed this season, and each of the lead coaches will provide clear and early communication in relation to all games, coaching sessions etc.
That said, parents are reminded of the absolutely pivotal role they can play, not only by coming along to matches and supporting, but also by volunteering in some of the many activities run over the course of the season. The transportation of children to and from games is top of that list, and we would ask you to bear in mind that this help is vital and we appreciate your efforts to assist us in this way.
CHILD PROTECTION
Lisburn CC has in place a Child Protection Policy and we place considerable importance in it. The policy and details of our Safeguarding Officer can be found on our website. Our aim at Lisburn CC is to allow children to experience cricket in a safe environment, and one in which they can have, we hope, a considerable amount of fun and enjoyment. To assist us with that, we have drawn up a Code of Conduct and a Parental Consent form. It would be very useful if you could read the Code, complete the Parental Consent form, and either hand over to us on the Registration Evening, or send back to us.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
It would also be extremely helpful for all annual subscriptions to be returned to us, or to our Honorary Membership Secretary, as soon as is possible. Again, the Registration Evening may well provide the most opportune occasion to effect that matter.
Current subscriptions for youth players are as follows
Under 15s - £75.00
Under 13s - £55.00
Under 11s - £35.00
Minis - £35.00
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
As well as volunteering in relation to games and matches, parental involvement is very much encouraged by the club. You might have a knowledge of cricket which we could use on occasion to assist with our practice sessions. Or, you might fancy a go yourself. Our 4th Xi, for example, has as its primary objective, to introduce younger players to adult cricket. It provides an ideal opportunity for parents to play in the same team as their children, so any parent keen on this idea, please do speak to us, and we can certainly try to accommodate you.
SOCIAL EVENTS
A vital source of income for our club is the holding of successful social events. We will have a programme of these over the course of the season, starting with our pre-season quiz on Saturday 2nd April at 8.00pm in the pavilion. We have a bar, with a late licence where appropriate, and the club provides a good meeting place for a couple of sociable drinks, and the chance to meet other club members, players and supporters. You are more than welcome to use our facilities, and attend our events, during 2016.
SPONSORSHIP
We are always on the lookout for new sponsors. Packages start at a very modest level for match sponsorship, and we also have boards around the ground. If you run a business, or know someone who does, please do get in contact if you are interested in helping the club with this important area of our income.
AND FINALLY.....
All of our coaches very much look forward to meeting new members, and welcoming back existing ones. 2016 already promises to be an exciting and challenging one for us as a club at all levels. We have big plans and hopes for success. Be a part of that and join us this season.
Yours in Cricket
MICHAEL FOSTER
Chairman
Lisburn CC