It’s been a while since we have had a club update, so I will do one now. This quiet time on the webpage would suggest that not much has been going on at the club but it has actually quite the contrary.
Awards, AGM and Indoor Season
During the last couple of months, we have had the awards evening, the AGM and the start of the indoor season for Colts and Senior players. The awards evening was held at Weybrook Park Golf Club and was, once again, a great success. However, it is a costly affair for members and next season we are looking at having it at the club, incorporating the new ladies team.
The AGM was held in November with a healthy turnout at the clubhouse. In a sign of stability, not much has changed apart from the skipper’s of the First and Second XI. Jack Brundle has stepped down as Two’s captain with Ian Bennett taking over and Dan Beckell has taken on the 3’s role with a view to bringing his former Colts through the system.
Colts on the Pathway and Farewell to Garf!
With regards to the Colts, Kris ‘Tuckers’ Tucknott has now taken on the role of Colts Director and the boys at Under 11, 13’s and 15’s are all playing in the indoor league. The Under 9’s don’t play indoors but start training at Costello School in January in preparation for the 2024 season.
Four boys, Dan and Ben Saines, Alex Pardoe and Joby Beatty have all been selected for the Hampshire Pathway after successful trials. Well done to them. With an element of sadness, Garf Coombes will be leaving us in the new year due to being offered a permanent role at The Rose Bowl as their MCCF Head Coach. It’s a great opportunity for Garf and we wish him all the best.
Here Come the Ladies!
Establishing a proper ladies team at Oakley has been our ambition for some time. With the the invaluable coaching of Ian Simpson and the organisation skills of Penny, Nikki and all, they really have got going. It’s been an excellent effort from ground zero to get where they are now, training every Thursday.
As a bonus, our very own veteran, Gordon Scott, has joined in with Ian and is loving his new role working with the ladies. They are now very much part of the rapidly evolving Hampshire Women’s League and will be indulging in softball competitions throughout winter and in the summer of 2024.
Both Gordy and Ian have commented on how committed the ladies are to learning the basics quickly and there is every confidence they are set to thrive and enjoy being successful Oaks in the coming years. A huge well done to all of them for getting the team off the ground, it’s great to see.
Christmas Drinks – 8th December
As is tradition, we will be holding our Christmas drinks evening at The Bounty Inn from around 7PM on the 8th December. This is always a relaxed informal and fun evening for the players, partners and supporters of the club. Hopefully this year the numbers will be boosted by the ladies team and perhaps a few colts parents.
So, that’s about it for now. We get the Christmas drinks done, have a little break from work and cricket, and before we know it, it’s time to ramp up the preparations for the 2024 season.
I am confident it will be a special one!
Cheers all.
The Chair