Pre-season
Pre-season training has been running for over a month. Generally, there has been a good turnout and lots of enthusiasm for the season ahead. It was great to enjoy the facilities at the new Forfar Community Campus - indoor cricket nets in Forfar; who would have thought it. Training has now moved outside on Tuesday & Thursday evenings.
The first pre-season friendly had been due to take place on Saturday but, unfortunately, Falkland have pulled out. There is still cricket scheduled for Sunday though as Forthill visit Lochside.
Overseas Amateur
Our overseas amateur for this season, Chris Stevenson, is due to arrive next Thursday. Chris is a top order batsman, left arm spinner and outstanding ground fielder.
I hope you will all come down to meet him and make him welcome in Forfar.
Development League
There have been significant changes to the structure of the SPCU Development League in which our second team plays. A new Aberdeen area has been created which has resulted in a loss of fixtures for us. This is a development that we do not welcome and we have made our concerns very clear to the SPCU. We support their ambitions to modernise the league and make it easier for people to play, but we think they are at risk of losing some things that are important. On the positive side, our match secretary has been very active in finding friendly fixtures to replace the matches we have lost and I'm pleased to say there will be no overall reduction in cricket at Lochside.
Teas and Sponsorship
We have once again been very successful in attracting match sponsors. Thanks to all those involved in that work.
With that success comes a challenge.
Most weeks we have two sets of sponsors and we want to make sure they are well looked after and have a good experience, whatever happens on the field.
We need hosts to spend time with them. If you fancy helping out in this way, please let us know. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching the match in a convivial atmosphere at the club.
We also need a bit of support with teas. Our Saturday catering is bought in, so there is no food preparation. We just need people to help out for an hour or so with some organisation and serving. Again, if that's you, please get in touch.
Any offers of help will be greatly appreciated. There are many jobs involved in running the club and small contributions to that work are very helpful so please consider getting involved.
All Stars Cricket
We are delighted to confirm that Strathmore is one of the early implementers for All Stars Cricket. This is a major new, UK wide initiative to provide 5-8 year olds with a fabulous first experience of cricket and make it their first sporting love.
We launch on Friday 19th May with our first programme. If you want to know more, visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk
Cricket Force
Our annual Cricket Force weekend took place last weekend. It has continued to build year on year in terms of the number of volunteers getting involved which is great to see. A power of work was done over the weekend getting the club ready for the new season - a big thank you to everyone for your efforts. There are still a few jobs on going so if you have some spare time over the next week or two and would be happy to wield a paintbrush then get in touch.
More Than Cricket
Cricket Scotland recently staged its first ever national conference for cricket clubs - More Than Cricket. This is part of a real effort from Cricket Scotland to re-connect with its member clubs and provide them with support on and off the field.
The conference was very stimulating and provided us with lots of food for thought about the future direction and development of the club. There were some inspirational stories, great ideas and information on developments still to come. The challenge for us now is to consider how these might help us to move forward.
Thriving Clubs
We are pleased to say that we will continue to enjoy support from the Thriving Clubs programme in the coming year. This programme has already been useful in stimulating our thinking about how we develop and grow.
Pool Marathon
The pool team held their third 24 hour pool marathon a couple of weeks ago. It was another great effort from all those involved. Sponsor money is still to come in so we can't say what has been raised yet but the club will be a few hundred pounds better off thanks to the players' sleep deprivation.
Membership
It's that time of year again - membership fees for 2017/18 are now due. Letters will be finding their way to you over the next few days.
All fees should be paid by 31st May 2017.