Collingham Cricket Club juniors flock back to Dale Field as facilities reopen

Junior members are taking full advantage of a cricket club’s facilities after it reopened following advice in the latest government guidelines.

Fourteen under-13s, 13 under-11s and 11 under-nines made themselves available for the first week of training at Collingham Cricket Club’s Dale Field facilities.

Club secretary Charles Lucas said the response was fantastic among the juniors, and he expects even more to return after a cautious approach by parents as it was the first week the sport was allowed back to the crease.

Last week Collingham shared the following message of its Facebook page: “We are delighted to say that our committee have worked tirelessly to put in place the relevant safety measures to allow us the opportunity to once again play cricket at Collingham CC.

“We have had regular contact with the ECB to ensure we provide the safest of environments for all of our players at both senior and junior level to allow them the opportunity to start playing cricket again.

“We will be utilising a full booking service which can be pre booked.”

The training sessions, which were split across two separate nets at each end of the ground, were one-on-one based, with one bowling while the other bats.

“We are not directly coaching them at this point, it is more about managing them,” said Lucas.

“They are having 15 minutes each before turning around, but it is more about getting them back out in a sporting context.”

Lucas said the return to training wasn’t as greatly supported by the seniors, but he hoped a return date would raise their spirits.

“Yes and no,” he replied when asked if the seniors were queuing up to get in the nets.

“There is no prospect of any competitive matches until August at least.

“So, for the juniors, it is more about getting out there and playing, even if it is just one-on-one.

“We have been solidly booked out in that department, which shows how enthusiastic the kids are to get playing.

“I think even more so for the parents who have the chance to get them out of the house and off their computer games.

“We have been incredibly careful with how we have communicated this, because so much has to be done correctly to make sure it is safe for everyone.

“As for the senior players, they were a little more bit reticent.

“The majority are working again now so they don’t have that free time, and they are a little bit philosophical that they might not get to play competitive cricket this summer.”

While the club isn’t welcoming any new junior members because of the ongoing situation, any prospective players over the age of 16 are welcome to join the club.

To do so, contact the club’s Facebook page.