As part of the fundraising drive to replace our dilapidated nets we’re launching our 24 Hour Sponsored Nets for New Nets appeal. This will be critical to the continuity of training at the club – for junior and senior players.
To Get Involved: please register your availability for the sessions shown in your Pitchero app on 5th and 6th January
To Donate: visit our Crowdfunder page - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stoke-dabernon-cricket-nets
Why are we doing this? We urgently need at least two new practice nets at Stoke Recreation Ground to meet modern standards. Given our recent growth we really also need to expand to four lanes, to ensure all players get the training time they need. Our existing nets are no longer in an acceptable state. To provide meaningful training and coaching for our members, young and old, we desperately need this project.
What are we doing? Combined with the club Christmas dinner we are trying to raise at least £20,000 (we aim to use matched funding via sports community funds to help reach this amount) . Four nets will cost much more than £20,000, but this will get the project moving and potentially put us in a position to secure loans for the remaining amount.
When will the nets be built? Subject to planning and other consents that are in process, we plan to have the nets ready for the 2024 season.
What do you need from us? All Colts players are invited to participate in our 24 Hour Sponsored Nets for New Nets Event. Seniors and O-40s may then be invited to help with the small hours also, where needed. Our event sponsors, the very generous Parkside School, have agreed to let us use their indoor nets for 24 hours straight, from 6 pm on Friday 5th January to 6 pm on Saturday 6th January. We will enjoy 24 hours of nets and indoor cricket, trying to get as many Colts involved as possible. We need you to dive in, be generous, and raise sponsorship funds to help us meet our target.
What happens next? In part that depends on your energy and engagement - the more of that you bring the better the event will be. Some sessions will be age groups specific and others will allow for a range of age groups. If you have older children, PLEASE consider taking the late night to early morning shifts, because we need to maintain momentum all night. We would like to create a party atmosphere on the Friday evening, where we’ll be running a temporary bar in the sports hall foyer 6pm to 10pm. This will get us going strong enough to maintain momentum through the night and morning, before we really wind up to a heroic finale between towards 6 pm on Saturday!
PLEASE help us prepare Stoke D’Abernon CC for the new generation of Colts and Seniors! If you have questions, contact your team manager.
Many thanks
Victoria (Club Chair), Geoff (Head of Fundraising Committee), Courtney and Euan (Colts Chairs), Alan (Colts Membership), Lindre (Safeguarding) and the Colts Managers