Welcome & Thank you

So, we finally draw stumps at the end of a hugely successful season for Royal Ascot Colts section, some say unprecedented!

This would not have been possible without the many hours of hard work put in by the team managers and all their helpers – so a very big THANK YOU to everyone involved

The Colts section would also like to thank Mark Wiggett for always being there and supporting the Colts, and Tony King for his unstinting work on the square.

Roll of Honour

A magnificent season for the teams this year, with the highlights being:

U8 – first and third in their inaugural foray into competitive cricket

U9 – Champions of Berkshire and West Surrey leagues

U10 – West Surrey Champions, and Winners of U11 Division 2 Berkshire League

U13 – Berkshire Cup winners, going on to reach the last 16 of the National Cup, and Berkshire League Runners up

County squads – Berkshire and Surrey

I am delighted to report that RACC had many boys who represented the County over the summer. The winter training programmes are now commencing, and Ascot has a record number of boys participating.

All Stars Cricket

This initiative by the ECB has been hugely successful. We had 40+ 5-8 year olds in the programme this summer. This will be repeated in 2018.

Colts playing up to Seniors

I am also delighted to report that several U13 – U15s regularly played for the Men’s Senior teams this Summer. Selected on merit, men’s cricket is great for the boys’ cricketing development and we are lucky to have a very welcoming environment created by the Seniors. This “pathway” is very important to ensure the talented boys we have, continue to develop, are challenged, and hopefully adopt Royal Ascot CC as “their” Club.

Match Fees

All match fees should have been collected by now – if you are reading this and you haven’t paid then please act now!

Annual Dinner – 28 October

To round the season off the Annual dinner and presentations will take place on 28 October. You should have already received details about this event, and there are a few tickets left. If you wish to come along, please let me know directly.

SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO 2018

Girls Section 2018

The Club has committed to getting a girls’ section up and running in 2018. Following successful taster sessions in July, and the All Stars programme, we now have over 40 girls who have shown an interest in joining (aged 6 upwards). Keep an eye on the website for further developments, as we plan to run further Girls only sessions over the Winter. If you have friends or family in the area, who have daughters who may be interested, please spread the word. Contact me directly if you want to register interest.

Winter Nets – 2018

Winter Nets will take place at Charters Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoons (3 – 6pm), commencing 14 January. Further details to follow.

Fundraising

The Club continues to actively raise money for a new Clubhouse which, as we all know, is much needed. Planning permission has now been submitted. Various grants (local and national) have been applied for, but there is a significant financial gap to bridge by the Club and its members. The total scheme will cost c£300,000.

Colts parents in particular should hopefully be aware of the schemes set up in association with Lavender Park Golf Centre and Reading Football Club – every pound helps!

Thank you to those that have signed up to Easyfundraising to support the cause. This is easy to do, and provides valuable funds. If you do nothing else, please sign up to this scheme.

Volunteering

I make no excuse for again repeating this plea from last time….many of you will already be involved in other children’s sports clubs, and you will therefore be acutely aware that the ongoing success of the Club is completely dependent on the commitment of volunteers. The Club has a vacancy for the role of Treasurer, and additional help is required for the U8 and U12 Age Groups for next season. Don’t leave this to someone else….

Closing Thoughts

When I took on this role in February this year, it’s fair to say I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, or in fact doing! This season has therefore been one of education and observation for me. Reflecting on where we are, we should be very proud to have one of the largest and most successful Colts sections in Berkshire. However, I believe we need to move forwards and set challenges in the following areas:

• Talent – we should be leveraging our current successes to attract further talent from around the County at all age groups
• Girls – we are behind on Girls Cricket and have been slow to react to the demand in the area
• Facilities – investment is urgently required

The Committee will continue to work to meet these challenges into 2018

Nigel Brewster (Colts Chairman)