The 2017 cricket season springs into action this weekend with Newton Aycliffe Under 11’s taking centre stage when they open the season on Sunday with a home game against Stockton (9.30am start) while the Under 15’s make the reverse journey to Stockton. The Under 13’s get into action on Friday 21 April with a home game again against Stockton before the seniors get their campaign underway on Saturday 22 April with the firsts at home to Wolviston and the seconds away to Blackhall.
There has been plenty of activity within the Club during the winter months with new captains appointed for both senior sides and plenty of comings and goings. The Club were disappointed to lose two of their best performers from last season with Mark Woodhead choosing to return to Marsden and tempting top scorer Sam Telford to go with him.
Club Chairman Ian Palmer said “Obviously we are sorry to lose both Sam and ‘Woody’ but can understand their reasons for going. Mark made a big impact at the Club last year, both on and off the field, but has returned to a club close to his heart, while Sam has been given a chance to test himself at a higher level of cricket having impressed at Aycliffe last season. They are going to be difficult players to replace but we hope that some of the other senior players will step up to the plate, while the loss of those two players, plus others who have either retired or given up playing presents opportunities for players coming in and for the good group of juniors who are coming through’.
A lot of the junior progress over the last couple of seasons can be attributed to Junior Development Manager Adam Gittins and his team of junior managers/coaches. The Club were therefore delighted last week when Adam was chosen by the Durham County Coaches Association as a 2017 ECB Coach Award Winner. Adam was recognised for his work with the Club over the last year, specifically the development of success of players and teams, the design, production and implementation of coaching programmes and providing innovation and inspirational coaching methods.
As a reward for his achievements Adam has been invited to attend the forthcoming England V South Africa one day international game at Headingley, as a guest of the ECB.
Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club are this year participating in the ECB’s All Stars Cricket initiative aimed at providing children aged between 5 and 8 years with a great first experience of cricket. The eight week programme costing £40 will run every Thursday between 25 May and 13 July at Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club. The activity and game based programme is suitable for all skill levels and all children will be provided, as part of the booking cost, with a pack of cricket goodies including a cricket bat, ball, backpack, water bottle, personalised shirt and cap so that they can continue their love of cricket when they go home.
To book a place or for more information go to www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars or contact Adam Gittins on 07748 508239.
Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club are indebted to Frank’s the Flooring Store who will again be the Club’s principal sponsor and will have their logo displayed on the Club’s white playing shirts.