Play and enjoy junior cricket at Sawley
by David Dooley, 4th November 2001

Sawley and Long Eaton Park Cricket Club have had a junior section since 1975 when they won the Derby & District U15 league. The club caters for all ages and abilities.

Members can join when they are in Y1 at school - they play softball cricket [sometimes called Kwik Cricket]. It is club policy to introduce hardball cricket to members as soon as they gain the necessary skills. Normally members will play a transition game - inter cricket - before playing serious hardball cricket. Older new members will also play the inter cricket game before enjoying hardball cricket. Members can look forward to playing hardball matches against other clubs from the age of 10, although this age group will play predominantly softball cricket against other local clubs.

Nowadays the club practices indoors from January to April at the Cavendish Centre, Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire on Sunday evenings. From May to August practices are held at the club's ground on West Park, Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

The club runs six junior teams - U10, U11, U12, U13, U15 and U17 - in the Erewash Young Cricketers League [EYCL]. Members have a chance to play matches against other members during some of the practice nights.

The club also has an Academy run by Club Coach John Birch the former Notts player and captain. Its roll is to provide individual members with coaching and development to suit their individual needs. Members are invited to join the Academy. The Academy plays a series of matches in the summer against prestigious sides as preparation for senior cricket.

The practice sessions and teams are organised and supervised by ECB [English Cricket Board] qualified coaches. The club presently has twelve active coaches.

If you would like more details about how to join the junior section then contact David Dooley, Junior Development Officer at Sawley.