AT the cricket season’s last outdoor session, Raby Castle CC held a presentation event for the club's junior players.
Junior co-ordinator Scott Hedley began his presentation by thanking coach Steve Caygill and all the other volunteers and parents who had helped him run the cricket practice sessions at Raby this year.
He said: “The excitement and the enthusiasm of the children has been great this year and being a part of it has made junior cricket practice nights such an enjoyable experience.”
He then presented medals to each of the children as recognition for their participation in this year’s sessions.
Scott then presented the 2020 season individual awards. The player of the year was William Poole. Joint winners of the players’ player of the year were Finlay Kirkup and Bertie Morris. Reilly Milner received the award for most improved player.
This year Raby Castle CC, with help from Middleton-in-Teesdale CC, entered a U13 team in the Durham Cricket Board Junior League.
The team played a total of nine games and ended up winning three of them, ending the season with narrow defeats against Esh Winning, Hunwick and Tudhoe.
Despite this, coach Steve Caygill said: “This season has been a terrific experience for our young players and their development.
“The opportunity to play competitive cricket has brought a little bit of sporting normality to what I am sure the parents will agree has been an unusual spring and summer.”
Middleton-in-Teesdale parent Gillian Hutchinson thanked Scott, Steve, the Raby parents, and players for making them so welcome this summer.
She said her boys Arron and Bobby had really enjoyed coming to Raby and playing in the team.
“Without this opportunity they would have played little cricket this summer,” she said.
Next season all teams playing in the Durham Cricket Board Junior League must wear coloured clothing rather than the traditional whites.
The aim of this change is to increase the appeal of the game to children and to better reflect the modern T20 game.
The new shirt colours – yellow and black – were chosen by the U13 players and their parents.
Thanks to Simpson Fuels Ltd, of Butterknowle, Raby Castle CC juniors have a new sponsor and the club has been able to buy new shirts for the team complete with club badge and the Simpson Fuels logo.
In addition, Mr Caygill said thanks to the assistance of the staff at Teesdale Area Action Partnership (TAP) and the financial support of county councillors George Richardson and James Rowlandson, the club had been able to purchase black playing trousers with the club badge to complete the playing kit.
The TAP grant also allowed the club to purchase a significant amount of playing, training and coaching equipment for use by all the youngsters who attend practice sessions.
Mr Caygill said the club would like to thank everyone who had offered their supported.
“Your support has allowed us to get the Raby Castle Cricket Club junior section well and truly up and running and we now have more than 30 junior players on our books,” he added.
