Dear Members and Friends of the Club
Firstly, may I apologise for the lack of email updates recently. We have been changing over to a new provider for our club website and this has had a knock-on effect to our emailing system. This has all been sorted out now so we’re back on-stream just in time to give you a lot of information about the season ahead.
Pre-season Quiz Supper – This Friday 8th March 7pm in the West Chilt Pavilion
There’s still time to enter a team, so please let Jo know if you can get a team of 6-8 together. Don’t worry if you don’t have a full team, just let Jo know and she’ll sort it out. Bar opens at 7pm and the quiz starts at 7.30pm. £10 a head including supper. Please call Jo on 01798 815504 or email WCTCC.social@gmail.com.
New Club Website
We are very pleased to announce that we have a new club website. Our thanks go to senior players Hugh Warmisham and Phil Martin for masterminding this project. We believe that the new site is an excellent promotional tool for the club and is also constantly updated with news and events, making it invaluable to our members. The site is also mobile friendly which represents a great improvement on our old website. Do have a look (www.wctcc.org.uk) and let us know what you think and if you have any improvements to suggest.
New Online Membership System
We have decided to move to an online membership system as the task of administering paper forms, cash, cheques and bank payments was just getting too much of a burden for our volunteers.
The system is just undergoing some final tests and will be available to use next week. Payments can be made through PayPal or GoCardless. We would encourage you to use GoCardless to set up a one-off direct debit as this system costs the club less than if PayPal is used.
You will be able to access the system from the membership page on our website. Trials have shown that it takes about 10-15 minutes to complete the forms and make payment. You’ll be asked to set up a password so you can re-enter the system and amend your details if necessary. Also in future seasons you’ll be able to login in and pay with minimal form filling.
Pre-Season Social and Information Evening – Friday March 22nd, 5,30-8.30pm
In the past we have always held a Registration Evening at the end of March but the introduction of the new membership system means that the emphasis of this evening will change slightly. The club and bar will be open with hot snacks available from the kitchen. Our age group coaches and committee members will be on hand to answer any queries you may have and we’ll be able to demonstrate the new online membership system. Also, if you or your children have any friends who would like to join the club, please encourage them to come along on this evening.
Our Thakeham Ground
Work has been progressing slowly and steadily at our new ground. The pavilion is now finished, the square and outfield are being prepared for the season and we are now just waiting for the completion of a tractor shed so we can keep our equipment safe. The square is fairly small with only 5 strips available at the moment but we do have the artificial pitch that was laid last season, so that will be used by some of our younger junior groups. The ground will be the new home of our Saturday 3rd XI. Our women’s team will also be playing several matches there as well as some of our junior teams. Until we get the junior fixtures through we can’t be definite about who will play where but it will all be sorted out by the start of the season.
We are currently finalising a day for an opening ceremony and celebration. This is likely to be on a Friday afternoon and evening in May but we’ll let you know as soon as we have a definite date.
We are very grateful for the interest that’s being shown in the new ground by our neighbours at Thakeham. Several are already supporting the club by attending our Quiz Nights and others have volunteered to help with teas and ground preparation. Many thanks to them.
Grounds Working Party at West Chiltington – Sun 14th April 9.30am onwards
As ever, help will be needed getting the ground ready for the start of the season. This year's ground work party will be on Sun 14th April.
There is lots to do but many hands make light work so please pop down. A few hours are usually all that it takes.
Further details will be sent out as we get closer. Bacon rolls and refreshments etc will be provided.
Club Kit Shop
If you need to order club branded playing or practice kit our kit shop is open and can be found here.
Facebook and Twitter
Do think about joining the club’s very active Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. A great deal of club information is posted here before it reaches our website or newsletters.
Diary Dates
Men’s Indoor Nets
We can now confirm that winter nets are booked and will commence 23rd March for five weeks at Arundel Castle Indoor School.
These sessions are open to all adult players and juniors who play Saturday league cricket.
Please bring £5 per person per session to help cover costs of the net hire.
To confirm – Sat 23rd, 30th March and 6th, 13th, 20th April 10am until 12noon.
Indoor Net Practice for U10s-U16s at Tanbridge House School - Thursdays 28th March, 4th, 11th and 18th April 6-9pm
Age groups will be split in sessions of one hour with our younger members practicing in the earlier sessions. We are just finalising the timings so please look out for more information which will be available very soon. There will be a small charge payable on the door to help cover the cost of hall hire.
Women’s and Girls’ Indoor Practices - Please look out for emails from Sarah or see the club website for information.
Outdoor Coaching
U5s-U14s coaching starts on Friday 26th April at West Chilt (weather permitting).
Men and U15/16s will now be practicing on Thursday evenings – exact timings TBC.
Girls – 8 years plus and beginners will start on Friday 26th April 5-30-7pm
Girls 14 years plus will train with the women’s team on Mondays from April 1st 7pm-dusk
Other diary dates are available on the website here.
All the best for a great season ahead.
Jason