Chairman's Message 2007

Members,

First, may I wish you all a happy and successful season in 2007. It has been great to see an enthusiastic turn-out at nets and to welcome back some old members who, for various reasons, haven't been able to play for while.

SAFE HANDS

This year, we adopt our 'Safe Hands' policy, the aim of which can be summarised as follows: DCC wishes to ensure that children are safe and protected from harm whilst visiting its premises and using its facilities. Tony and Richard have been on the courses required by the league and captains have read the full version of the policy document. Ask them if you want to know more. A full copy of our policy will be kept on the maroon DCC notice board in the clubroom.

AVAILABILITY

Captains often have a nightmare getting strongest teams out, particularly if we call off at a late stage. PLEASE let Phil Wright or James Kay know of any dates you will be unavailable, as soon as you know them.

THOUGHTS FOR THE COMING SEASON

Last year we won the coveted 'Spirit of Cricket' award. We are justly known as a friendly, sporting club, but also perhaps one with no ambition. It would be unfortunate if this deterred useful players from joining DCC in future, as many of us get old together! With this is mind, I would like to suggest the following areas for improvement:

1. SHARING THE LOAD

Cricket at DCC is extraordinary value for money. Our £10 subscription is astoundingly low (£100 subs are not unknown!). For £4 you can have five and a half hours of exercise and entertainment, with a new ball and a delicious tea thrown in! This is possible because the jobs in the club are done by unpaid volunteers. So, don't wait to be asked to:
  • clear the ropes and stakes from around the wicket
  • put out boundary flags
  • fill bad rabbit holes with soil
  • take out the scorers' table and scoreboard
  • prepare the tea room by putting out tables and chairs. This should not be the job of the person(s) who have made the tea!
  • volunteer to collect match fees
    • AND VERY IMPORTANT: At the end of the game, somebody has to clear everything away, too! Eleven players can manage this in 5 minutes maximum if they share the tasks

    2. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

    In the (perhaps too) many years I've been playing, I've always admired teams who get the best out of all their players, rather than paying better players to come to their club. We can't influence how other teams play against us, but we can look to improve our own performances. With this in mind:

    a) WARM UP · The idea of getting to the ground by 1.30 at the latest is to warm-up with some catching and fielding practice. It's lots easier to feel confident under that high ball if you've caught ten such catches already that afternoon. Fielding and throwing fast and accurately is a matter of technique and practice. Wicket-keepers, too, need to play themselves in, so they are ready to accept that catch or run-out chance in the early overs. Good fielding raises team morale. It's infectious. If we could convert two more chances per match into wickets, we would win several more matches.

    · Many of us waiting to bat would welcome a few throw-downs from a team-mate. It gets the feet moving and helps tune-up the eyes and hands. Don't wait to be asked. A young player, new to the club, will not find it easy to ask an established player.

    b) MID-WEEK PRACTICE It was suggested at the AGM that we practice mid-week from 6pm when there is no mid-week match. Captains and the website will be able to confirm when there will be practices. Do try to get along whenever you can. This is particularly useful when you are not in form!

    A FINAL THOUGHT: we are not all equally talented cricketers but, if everyone improved the quality of their contribution by a few percent, we would be nearer to making the most of our club's playing strength.