NEWS & UPDATES

2018 SEASON RECAP

The past twelve months have been productive for Kimbolton Cricket Club. Plenty of highs, a couple of lows, some change and overall a satisfactory year which gives us the opportunity to push on in 2019.

On the field we saw some great success with our 2nd XI winning promotion and playing with great passion and determination. Our 1st team experienced a few issues, mainly due to a change in playing personnel and the challenges that promotion bought about in 2017 however they played to win and were a credit to the club. They continued to play the game in the right way were others would of gave up. Our Sunday team continued to enjoy their cricket finishing mid table bring on the future players of the club in a competitive league .

Our Youth Section continues to flourish. The club providing cricket for youngsters in the area; good coaching, a great setting and enthusiasm keeps all engaged. Our Under 11s were very successful winning both the 11 a side and 8 a side competitions, the U9, U13 and U15 players continue to develop and compete in the competitions that they play in. Some great success in Charlie Evans making his well-deserved 1st team debut and Sam Evans, Dan Tonkin, Arthur Bayliss and Joe Burns all making senior debuts for the club. This is a credit to all involved and I’m sure we will break more records for juniors making there senior debut in 2019. A massive step in the right direction was taken last year when we offered girls in the local area free coaching in order for them to try the game we all love. The club has continued to build on this success by making steps to enter leagues. This goes to show one small idea can go a long way with a lot passion and determination. 

Our location which is the envy of many clubs all over the county continues to flourish. The dedicated hard work of many meant that not only did we successfully host our own games through all age groups and levels, we also hired out the facilities for birthday parties, corporate cricket matches and even an engagement party, friendlies were held against Grafham and one touring side

Financially we are slightly improved to where we were this time last year. A full report from our Treasurer will follow. We should not lose sight that a considerable amount of our income comes through sponsorship and donations, we do need to consider fundraising events if we want to improve the quality of our facilities and look to have a venue that competes and surpasses that of other clubs in the county. It’s important to remember what we do now will stand the test the time for other to enjoy over the next generations like we have received the benefit from those in the clubs past. 

One area that I would like to highlight is the need to get more members engaged with the running of the club and volunteering at various work parties and events. Without this happening it is difficult to keep the club going from strength to strength. So please consider what you can do to help the club.

I would like to take this opportunity to say what a privilege it has been to be Chairman of KCC in 2018 but it was only a one year plan for me to get the club back on track. I truly believe the next chair person should have a long term plan for the club working with the members and committee to hit there short, mid and long term objectives.

The Management Committee will step up another gear to ensure that everything that is required to allow the club to develop will be in place, as part of our application for club mark we are working on a long term plan for the club which I hope will allow KCC to remain at the heart of cricket in Huntingdonshire. I would like to thank the committee for supporting me during the year and even though the club don’t get to see the efforts you all put in I do and I thank you on behalf of the members. 

To all members thank you for all your support, good humour and determination…. Here is to 2019. Let’s make it a year to remember. 

Chris Gilthorpe

Chairman 2018 KCC