Dear Member,
Firstly I hope you and your families have been staying safe and well in recent weeks. Normally at this time of year we would be on the verge of enjoying our first competitive matches, however with that not being the case at present we would like to update you on the prospects for the 2020 season.
- Following the ECB’s latest announcement that the professional game will not commence before 1st July, we have been advised that the recreational game will also not commence before that date. This includes all competitive League and Cup games, friendlies and training. We understand the Kent Cricket League, Kent Regional Cricket League and Saxon Shore League committees are currently reviewing the options for their respective competitions to take place this summer and we will update you further with that when news is available.
- The Club AGM, originally scheduled for March 2020, is still to be rearranged. We are looking into the option of conducting this online or alternatively once social distancing guidelines have been relaxed and the clubhouse is available for use. We will update you further in due course.
- One key item for the AGM is the Membership fees payable for the year ahead. These are due for payment from 1st April, however with the uncertainty over how much cricket we will be able to enjoy this summer, we have delayed an announcement on these until we have more information available. We appreciate some members pay by monthly direct debit, therefore we would appreciate this arrangement remaining in place until the membership fees for the year ahead are established. Following this we can make any adjustments that may apply.
- Should any other Members or Vice Presidents wish to make an initial payment towards their membership in advance of the fees being announced, this would of course be greatly appreciated.
- Additionally some juniors paid in advance for the full indoor winter training sessions, so similarly we would propose making any adjustments that may apply.
- For anybody interested in either Umpiring or Scoring, there are online courses for these currently available. They are free to register and complete, so if you are keen to develop your knowledge of the game and possibly be able to offer your support for either Senior of Junior cricket, please sign up. The ECB have released three online methods of support:
- “Basics of Umpiring”– This course is aimed at club umpires who just need to know the key laws and basic field craft and those players who umpire 5 or 10 overs at the weekend.
Details and Registration - “Umpire Stage One” –This course is designed to give an overview of the basic Laws of the game and how to apply them and introduce the principles of field craft and match management. This course is an ideal introduction for new club umpires, a refresher for existing umpires and the first step for those who aspire to umpire at higher level.
Details and Registration - “Basics of Scoring” –This course is designed to provide all the skills needed to start scoring. The course covers the basics of scoring a game of cricket such as scoring symbols, umpire signals, dismissals and gives a helpful overview of the Laws of the game.
Details and Registration
- As mentioned earlier, the Club is currently closed for any Sports or Social activities, although our Head Groundsman Jason and his team have continued their work as normal and have things looking in excellent condition. However the Clubhouse is acting as the focal point for the ‘Folkestone Community Support Hub’ offering assistance by way of food collections, meal and medicine deliveries, dog walking and other helpful services to those in need of extra assistance at this time. If you feel able to offer a little time and can volunteer to help, please visit ‘www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/volunteer/form‘ for more details.
Finally we continue to wish you all well at this difficult time and look forward to hopefully seeing you at some stage later in the summer
