A bit later than planned as the success of our football teams has extended their season and the time demands on myself, but we are almost ready to offer cricket club to Year 5 and 6.

Cricket Club will be on Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5pm and will start on the 14th of May.

 All are welcome, boys and girls from Years 5 and 6. Places are limited to 16, 8 boys and 8 girls. In the first instance, preference will be given to Y6 as this is their last opportunity, but applications from Y5 are still very welcome. Letters are available from class teachers.

Experience is not necessary, but willingness to apply themselves to learn a demanding, technical sport is. Cricket requires focus, patience and a lot of resilience under pressure. It’s mentally hard and players are under the spotlight, particularly when bowling and batting. That said, it’s the most brilliant sport!

The sessions will start with Kwik Cricket with a soft ball. We will progress to hard ball cricket with helmets, pads etc in due course. For those players who can demonstrate the necessary skills (and bravery!) to do so safely, we will also use the net and the bowling machine.

No specialist kit is needed. All bats, gloves, pads, helmets etc are provided by school. Players who progress to the nets will need a box/guard of their own as we do not provide such personal, intimate items! These can be bought online or at sports shops and there are models for girls as well as boys – they tend to cost between £3 and £5. Trunks/cycling short type undergarments to insert them into will also be needed.

We usually aim to play a full hard-ball match against another school and will try arrange to do so again this year. Photos here are of our team in match action last season.

I will confirm either a place in the club or on the waiting list by the end of next week.

Mr Hillier