Sheen Scorchers

SHEEN COLTS BULLETIN

SEASON 2023

WELCOME

Last summer (and winter!) six more trophies were added to the haul of 84 claimed since Sheen Colts were conceived with a single U10 team and a squad of 17 in 2003.

For the first time in the club’s history, the U17’s won a league title, while the U13’s (Middx Regional League), U12’s (Middx Plate and Arctic Blast) and U10’s (Middx Regional League, Surrey Tier 2 League) were also triumphant.

That there is still some way to go was emphasised by losses in County play-offs, the U10’s losing narrowly to Richmond in the Gubby Allen, the U11’s going down heavily to Merchant Taylors, and then the U12’s losing to Hampstead and the U13’s to Stanmore in highly charged semi-finals.

Once more though, it was a tremendous year with over 120 matches played across the age groups, amongst the highlights being two more centuries from Olly Richards who led the club run scoring charts (again) with 651 - and some inspired bowling, particularly from Ishrat Oberoi and Huw Stradling, who both claimed 29 victims. 

As well as Richards’ centuries, there were 22 half centuries scored while five bowlers took four wickets in an innings and there were two memorable hat-tricks (from Franklin King & Gilby Richards).

Though there were some mornings and evenings laced with disappointment, the stand-out for the summer was the remarkable camaraderie that spread between players in so many of the sides. It really was like one big enormous family playing with their hearts on their sleeves and boundless enthusiasm, week after week. Just the way it should be!

We are really lucky at Sheen to have such a wonderfully committed swathe of players and parents who make Sheen Common one of the most joyous places to spend time, through much of the year! Look forward very much to seeing many of you soon.

MEMBERSHIP – JOINING THE CLUB

If you are not a current member but are keen on joining the club, please send an email (to tonybraldo@gmail.com) with the following details

Parents name(s)

Address

Tel(s)

Child’s name(s)

DOB

Place of birth

School

Allergies, etc. (if applicable)

Once these have been received you will be added to the members mailing list and receive regular updates.

WE ARE ALWAYS VERY KEEN ON WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS TO THE CLUB!

The membership fee for the season will again be £120 for U6-9’s and U9-11 girls to cover twelve ninety minute sessions through the summer and all age group matches arranged. 

From U10 to U15, including girls who play in boys teams, the membership fee will be £150.

Sibling’s enjoy a 20% discount on their membership fees. U6-9 - £24.00; U10-15 £30.00.

There is no junior membership payment – simply a match fee – for all players U16 and above.

It is anticipated each child will have the opportunity to play in a minimum of six matches through the season. 

New members must purchase and wear the Scorchers shirt and cap. These will be available at Saturday morning training, before the official start to the season.

FIXTURE LIST FOR 2023

See the "Fixtures 2023' page on this site.

This gives you an opportunity to plan for those games you would like to make your child(ren) available for in the season ahead. We play Middlesex League and Cup matches in the week and Surrey League and Cup on Sunday mornings. We are competing at U21, U19, U17, U15, U14, U13 (two teams), U12 , U11, U10 (two teams) and U9. We also have a girls U11 (softball) team.

Surrey (Sunday) fixtures will not be available to view until the end of February.

AGE GROUPS 2023

AGE GROUPS 2023

Girls, up to 17 years of age, may play in Boys’ matches in a team 1 year below their own chronological age group.

This does not apply to the U13 and U15 Boys’ Cups, where Girls can only play in their own age groups.

AGE GROUP COLTS TRAINING 

Training is scheduled to take place every Saturday, commencing on 22^ndApril for 12 weeks with a one-week break at half-term for all junior members. This is not compulsory, but it is sensible to try to attend as many sessions as possible.

It will be staggered with training objectives and times listed below, per age group.

U6-9 – 9.30am-11am

Pod sessions of up to twelve players per group. No hard-ball kit needed. Training will take the form of a variety of fun and challenging drills and even matches on the outfield.

U11 Girls – 9.30am-11am

Pod sessions of up to twelve players per group. No hard-ball kit needed. Training will take the form of a variety of fun and challenging drills and even matches on the outfield. (These sessions are for those players not already selected for a match. County players will play in boys groups.)

U10-11 – 9.30am-11.00am

Nets: All players are expected to have hard-ball kit including a box, pads, gloves, helmet and thigh pad. It is anticipated that we will have four lanes in operation which allows for all players to have a bat and a bowl. 

U12-17 – 11am-12.30pm

Nets: All players are expected to have hard-ball kit including a box, pads, gloves, helmet and thigh pad. It is anticipated that we will have four lanes in operation which allows for all players to have a bat and a bowl.

MATCH TIMES AND DAYS

It is important to be aware that early season, matches start at 5.30pm and then, as the days get longer, move to 6pm. With so many fixtures to fit in is hasn’t always been possible to make one day in the week ‘match day’ for an age group, so they can vary week-to-week.

VOLUNTEER COACHES

We have been extremely fortunate to have a committed band of coaches who have assisted with the running of our ever expanding number of age group teams. 

We will be putting out 13 teams in 2023 and will continue to need support from parents for the running of matches. Anyone in a position to help, please get in touch with Tony (tonybraldo@gmail.com).

COACHING CAMPS DATES 2023

We will be running the usual number of coaching camps through the spring and summer and  send information out to all members in advance of each course, or courses, taking place. Camps run form 10am to 4pm, on Sheen Common. Dates for the diary are listed below: 

EASTER:

Monday 27^th March to Friday 31^stMarch. 
Monday 3^rdApril to Thursday 6^thApril.
Tuesday 11^thApril to Friday 14^thApril.
Monday 17^thApril to Friday 21^stApril.

WHITSUN HALF-TERM:

Tuesday 30^thMay to Friday 2^ndJune.

SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS: 

Monday 10^th July to Friday 14^thJuly.
Monday 17^th July to Friday 21^stJuly.
Monday 24^th July to Friday 28^thJuly.
Monday 31^st  July to Friday 4^thAugust.
Monday 7^th August to Friday 11^thAugust.
Monday 14^th August to Friday 18^th August.
Monday 21^st August to Friday 25^thAugust.
Monday 29^th August to Friday 2^ndSeptember.

AUTUMN HALF-TERM CAMP:

Monday 16^th October to Friday 20^th October.

NOTE: Camps cost £30 per day per person (£25 for siblings who attend on the same day). Half day is £20 and £15 for siblings.

Registration takes place in front of the pavilion on Sheen Common, opposite 3 Fife Road, East Sheen. 

SHEEN COLTS COMMUNICATIONS

WEBSITE

There is a fair amount of up to date information on this website, including that about fixtures, membership, dates for the diary etc. 

FACEBOOK PAGE

We use a ‘Sheen Scorchers’ Facebook page as a back-up to the regular e-mails you receive. Please check out the page (Google: Sheen Scorchers) and click the ‘like’ icon inset in the main picture it to receive regular updates. 

(Please note – if you click the ‘like’ box, this means you will see the Sheen Scorchers status updates but the site cannot see your personal information or posts if you don’t wish anyone to do so.)

E-MAIL

If you are not on Facebook or not much of a Googler – never fear. All the information you need will be sent via e-mail to you through the season, (Camps, membership, matches, etc.) provided you are on the mailing list.

THIS IS SENT OUT CHRONOLOGICALLY THROUGH THE SEASON: EASTER CAMPS; SUMMER MEMBERSHIP; SUMMER HALF-TERM CAMP; SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS, ETC. 

WHATS APP

Whats App is used by managers for imparting last-minute information to teams – especially if there is a late drop-out, a player is struggling to be on time, or a match is cancelled en route. 

COUNTY COLTS

Those players on both the Middlesex and Surrey pathways – starting with Borough/District cricket and then potentially progressing on to the full county side - are listed below for 2023.

All of you have put in a lot of hard work and made significant commitments to get where you have.

Boys and girls are nominated to trial for Middlesex Borough age group teams in the Spring and the best players go on to represent the Region later in the summer. It is at the Regional phase that players are invited to join the full County age group squads the following winter.

In Surrey there is a split selection process taking place in the early Spring (for entry level boys and girls) and then again (for older players) in the summer.

This year, we have 26 boys and girls on a Middlesex or Surrey Pathway.

U9

Jack Bailey (Surrey)

Gilby Richards (Surrey)

George Cole (Surrey)

Toby Hayes-Watson (Middlesex)

U10

Harry Thornton (Middlesex)

U11

Seb Pearson (Surrey)

Rohan Bhandal (Middlesex)

Franklin King (Middlesex)

Daniel Hart (Middlesex)

Josh Pagnamenta (Middlesex)

Jonty Rae (Middlesex)

U12

Sammy Wade (Middlesex)

Joe Inch (Middlesex)

Max Jackson (Middlesex)

Johnny Carswell (Middlesex)

U13

Omkar Shenai (Middlesex)

Ranveer Dangi (Middlesex)

Ned Ballantyne (Middlesex)

Huw Stradling (Middlesex)

Jeevan Bhandal (Middlesex)

Oscar Leonard (Middlesex)

U13 (Girls)

Ellie Phillips (Surrey)

U14

Ishrat Oberoi (Surrey)

Dhruv Ganesan (Surrey)

Alf Beresford-Pierse (Middlesex)

U17

Olly Richards (Surrey)

ONE-TO-ONE COACHING PROGRAMME

We run an outdoor 1-1 programme year round at Sheen at weekends. As well as Tony Bradshaw, Kent’s Ben Compton and former Surrey and England cricketer Monte Lynch will, on occasion, be available to take sessions.

If you are interested in joining us at any time, please contact tonybraldo@gmail.com and we will add you to the 1-1 mailing list.

FUNDRAISING

The team, headed up by Jane Bhandal has done sterling work raising funds for the net refurbishment that took place last summer and has worked closely with the Council to have the change room and loos upgraded.

The nets need further work – especially the gates – and it’s anticipated this will take place in March/early April.

REPAIRS AND RENEWALS

As well as a mini-facelift for the nets, Kieron Pearce has been preparing the lanes that run alongside the existing structure so we can lay (moveable) flicx pitches down and with the batting cages, make four lanes available to club members. There is work to be done on this front through a volunteer task force, if at all possible – probably during the Eater holidays or early season.

(We have secured a further batting end from the RPA which we will lay down pre-season)

SIGNAGE

A number of signs are being prepared and should be a welcome addition at the common this summer. As well as signage at the entrance to the common, indicating a cricket club plays here (!), there will be various others displayed on the nets and pavilion that should help boost brand awareness as well as underline rules and regulations.

EVENTS

Though we have a significant fixture programme and are close to capacity in running 13 teams, we are hoping to be able to host a number of events again this summer. They include:

SUMMER SOIREE ON THE COMMON

This has now become an annual evnt and has been extremely well supported over the last two years!

U10’s v MOTHERS MATCH

The mum’s need to get in some practice this time or they may be battered again! 

20^thANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

It’s very early stages, but the plan is to invite back any and all of those who have played for Sheen Colts since 2003 to a day of matches (two x 20/20 games in the day) which will include a sit down marquee lunch .

This has been penciled in for a Saturday/Sunday in September.

COLTS PRIZEGIVING DINNER

We will aim to host this at Richmond CC in late November,

WELFARE

If you have any concerns or queries regarding the running of Sheen Park, please raise them with Sarah Wade - sporter79@hotmail.com- who is the Club Welfare Officer.

NOTE: It is important we all remember we share the common with other sports as well as the general public and that our behaviours and actions should mirror all safeguarding practice. There is a dedicated safeguarding page on the website.

MERCHANDISE

Please be aware every new member needs a Sheen Scorchers shirt (£20) and cap (£15), These will be made available at Saturday morning training pre and early season.

COLTS CRICKET COMPANY

Tariq Nazir, renowned for his championing of Colts equipment at excellent prices, has a shop – next to AJ-Fordhams in Robin Hood Way, Kingston (just off the A3 near the Robin Hood roundabout). tnazir@talk21.com. We also have a strong relationship with Sheen Sports, who offer a 10% discount to all Sheen Park members – adults and colts.

OLD BATS  PLEASE!

We've had old bats donated over the years, but can always do with more! If you have an old bat lying around that is no longer of any use to you, could you please bring it to Sheen at the start of the season.

They are valuable to us & after a clean-up are ideal for youngsters venturing into the game for the first time.

We have found less use for old pads, gloves, etc. IT’S BAT’S – HOWEVER BATTERED – WE ARE LOOKING FOR!!!!

CREDIT SYSTEM

Just a reminder that unless it is in exceptional circumstances, we offer credits rather than refunds should your child be unable to attend a camp or winter training session.

We look forward very much to seeing many of you again this season and a very warm welcome to all newcomers.

TB