As the clock ticks towards the start of the 2023 season, it’s time to see where we are at, and if we are heading in the right direction. Are we geared up for a successful season at Oakley Park?
On the Pitch
If training is anything to go by, we are looking all set. There were 26 in attendance last night, which is a great showing by any club’s standards. This means that once again, we can say with confidence, we will field three teams.
We can’t say how successful those teams will be, as we don’t know our opposition. What we do know is that we have retained all our key players and have added a few newcomers. This should stand the three captains in good stead to at least be competitive. Some players have chosen to train right through the winter, which can only be a good thing.
Objectives
The objective is to have the first and second teams competing around the top end of their leagues, whilst the Third XI is a place for development and growth. From what I have seen and heard so far, we are well set for the targets the captains are looking for.
What we can’t plan for is the quality of other teams. There are always surprise packages who may have picked up high class players we don’t know of. It’s not unusual for a village team to turn up with someone called Jacobus Van de Kwak or Bruce Hooper, and proceed to tear the league to pieces with double tons and 85mph bowling. It is a terrible way for clubs to behave, unless of course these players come to us. Then its fine.
Off the Pitch
Off the pitch, as you may have seen on the socials, the new look veranda has been completed by Bob Jones. It is an exceptional piece of work, helping us achieve our aim of making the exterior of the club look dandy. It was great to see Bob earn the coveted Hants Cricket Board volunteer of the month award. Much deserved, I think we all agree.
There was also an outstanding turn out for the groundwork day well organised by Ian Bennett a few weeks ago, with lots achieved by the members. Will Cheyney has also made his now obligatory forklift visit to get the scoreboard up. The Rabley’s have been doing outstanding work internally, hosting our first event of the year (Brad’s birthday). The club is now well set to host events and parties, so spread the word.
A special mention should also go to James Bayliss and Dave Bowers, who undertook some plumbing works at the clubhouse after we forgot to turn the water off. As a vintage example of how the law of the sod operates, we had quite a sustained freeze in early winter that caused the trouble. Thanks also to Neil Robinson for sourcing the materials via his stepdad. It is now all repaired.
Finances and Membership
During our recent committee meeting, Pete advised us that the finances are in a stable if not enviable state. Our ‘rainy day’ money is still in the pot but as Pete said, it only takes mechanical issues with the equipment to eat into our funds. What we don’t want to do is drift into a position where sustainability becomes a juggling act. Pete also made the point that winter is when we are at our poorest as the membership fees from the previous season have been spent.
Which leads me sumptuously into a well-constructed Segway . Membership is now due and needs to be in by the 30th April at the latest. This allows the captains to make selections for the pre-season friendlies and aids us with stocking the bar and buying the finishing touches (hanging baskets etc etc) to make the club look great. The better it looks, the longer people hang around buying drinks.
You all know what you get for your membership. Investment back into the club and year on year improvements that benefit us all and generate additional funds. We are always on the look out to add further enhancements to the club and the changes of the past decade have been down to the commitment of the members. We go into 2023 with a fantastic clubhouse and ideas for further development already being discussed.
Well done everyone, don’t forget to support the quiz nights and club tour if possible. You can contact AB for more information.
On we travel…
The Chair!