The Sun Sets on Another Glorious Year
As the sun (and cloud, rain, wind—take your pick) sets on another season at Oakley Park, we find ourselves reflecting on the year gone by. We wrapped up the season in style with a packed Colts evening last Friday, following a wild celebration the weekend before, where 75 members from the men’s, women’s, and elder Colts teams joined together to toast a fantastic year.
Triumphs on the Pitch
Our Colts made us proud with titles at the Under 13 and 15 levels, while the 9s and 11s put in strong performances as well. Our women’s team, in their very first season, had more wins than losses—proof that it was worth it despite lack of experience. The First XI rebounded from a rough start to finish second in their league, while the Second XI’s promotion hopes were dashed in an agonizing last-day showdown of “what-ifs” and “almosts.” Meanwhile, the Third XI continued to grow despite some batting struggles, with more young Colts stepping up to the adult game, showing that the future looks bright.
Looking Forward: The Path Ahead
Now, what comes next? Since I’ve been chairman, our philosophy has always been to keep pushing the club forward—because standing still in cricket is as good as going backwards! We’re already planning for next season, scouting for players who can enhance our upward trajectory but also fit the Oakley Park ethos of rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in. With new housing developments nearby, we’ll be casting a wider net and seeing what talent we can find. We don’t need many, but an addition or two is always a welcome boost.
Building Oakley Park—Brick by Brick (or Net by Net)
To attract more players and sponsorship, we’ve got to keep improving our facilities. Oakley Park is barely recognisable from what it was ten years ago, and that progress has allowed us to host events in-house, bringing in more funds to reinvest in the club. Next season, we’re aiming to upgrade the exterior and garden areas for families, supporters, and those all-important post-game gatherings. It’s a win-win: better facilities mean more revenue, and more revenue means better facilities—a virtuous cycle, if you will.
The Big Dream: Double Net Lanes
Perhaps the biggest challenge we’re tackling head-on is the installation of double net lanes. We’re talking top-notch lanes that come with a jaw-dropping price tag, but we believe we’ll get there. We’ve already ring-fenced some funds from donations and are continuing our GoFund campaign, slowly but surely gathering support from members, families, and friends who’ve been gently nudged (okay, cajoled) into tossing in a few quid. There’s also potential for fund-matching, so if you haven’t yet, now’s the time to chip in by clicking here
A Look to the Future
In short, it’s been a stellar season, but we’ve got our sights set on making next year even better. That means fresh ideas, fundraising efforts, and careful spending of member funds. You’ll get a chance to see all of this laid out at the AGM, where we’ll present the accounts and elect (or re-elect) committee members. Maybe you’ll even want to put yourself forward—who knows?
In the meantime, enjoy your off-season hibernation. The planning will kick off before you know it, and with your continued support, we’ll keep building a club that you can be proud to represent.
Best wishes,
The Chair