Established 1882

HORTON KIRBY CRICKET CLUB

5 YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

August 2009 Revised 

CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION     BRIEF HISTORY – MISSION STATEMENT

SECTIONS:-

1.    Club Structure

2.    Membership

3.    Colts Section

4.    Women’s section

5.    Coaching

6.    Fixtures

7.    Equipment

8.    Local community

9.    Facilities

10. Summary

INTRODUCTION

BRIEF HISTORY

Horton Kirby Cricket Club was established in 1882, initially named Horton Invicta the Invicta was dropped from the title in 1886. Early matches were played at Netherways meadow, now known as Westminster fields, the pitch being immediately adjacent to the footpath which runs across the fields. The club moved to its current ground in Franks Lane in the early 1900’s.

·         The 2^nd XI was first established in 1892.

·         First Pavilion erected in 1905.

·         The Club because a Founder member of the Invicta League in 1981.

·         The Club currently runs two Saturday and two Sunday sides.

·         There are also U9, U11, U13 and U17 Colts teams.

·         An early history of the Club was written by prominent member, Austen Keith.

MISSION STATEMENT

Horton Kirby Cricket Club aims to make cricket more accessible to the whole community, whilst obtaining and maintaining ECB Clubmark status.

We aim to do this by:

·         Being the focus for cricket in our community

·         Providing coaching and practise facilities

·         Encouraging good sportsmanship and behaviour

·         Encouraging the personal growth of participants at all levels, both on and off the field.

The development plan is a summary of all aspects of the Club, whether playing or otherwise, and also an idea how we wish it to develop over the next five years. For each section, we consider:

1.      What we have now

2.      What we need to do.

3.      Requirements to achieve the objectives.

4.      The cost.

5.      When it will be implemented.

1.CLUB STRUCTURE

1.1 What we have now

We are affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board through Kent County Cricket Board and the Club Cricket Conference. We are members of KCB Sevenoaks District and Dartford and District Indoor League.

We run several teams. The 1^st XI and 2^nd XI Saturday sides play in the Invicta League. The Sunday 1^st X1 are in the South London Sunday League and  the 2^nd X1 plays friendly matches. The U17 colts are in the Mid Kent League. The U13 colts are in the North Kent Junior  and the under 11s arein both the Mid Kent Junior League and the North Kent Junior league. The Under 9s play in the mini super 8 tournament.

The Club is open to all and our membership policy states that we are ‘open to all persons, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs, sex, age and ability (except as a necessary consequence of cricket as a particular sport).

Prospective new members need to be proposed and seconded be existing members and their details posted on the Club notice board for at least 48 hours prior to a committee meeting. The committee will then consider and if appropriate confirm membership.

The Club is run by a democratically elected committee. The officers comprising the committee are elected annually at the AGM, which is held in November each year, representing the views of playing and non-playing members. The Chairman’s role is that of Manager of the Club. The committee deals with all aspects of running the club, from financial to the upkeep of the ground and pavilion. The team captains are responsible for team selection and management.

The committee consists of:

·         Chairman

·         Hon Secretary

·         Hon Treasury

·         Hon Fixture Secretary

·         Hon Bar Secretary

·         Hon Press Secretary

·         Hon Ground Secretary

·         Invicta League Rep

·         Colts Manager/Junior Co-ordinator

·         Child Welfare Officer

·         Captains of Saturday and Sunday 1^st and 2^nd XIs

·         Plus up to 5 general committee members.

The Club has a qualified Child Welfare Officer, who has attended a Sports Coach UK ‘Good Practice and Child Protection’ Course, in accordance with ECB rules. The Club has adopted the ‘Safe Hands – Welfare of Young People in Cricket’ policies.

We have appointed a development officer.

We have increased the number of younger members on the committee to three in 2009.

We have established a group of parents to manage the junior teams.

We now have 5 qualified umpires and two qualified scorers.

1.2 What we would like to have.

·         More coaches, umpires and scorers;

·         More involvement with local schools and community groups.

·         An additional match ground to help accommodate some of the existing mid week demand and in future provide a home for a 3^rd X1 at weekends

·         Separate sub committees to manage various aspects of Club Business each reporting to a smaller executive committee.

1.3 What do we need to do

·         Develop our existing links with local schools and community groups through the Club coaching team.

·         Continue to ensure that the local press has all match results, including colts’ games, on a weekly basis and to advertise for new members in the community via the Press Officer.

·         Continue discussions with the Parish Council and/or others to work together to promote cricket in the community and identify a suitable location for a second match facility.

·         Review progression of the 5-year Action Plan on a 3 monthly basis.

·         Revise club rules to allow changes in the formats of the various committees.

1.4 What is the cost?

For the most part the financial cost is minimal – assuming that Club members and their parents can be encouraged to become involved in the development of the club.

Provision of a second ground may require some investment in pitch and changing facilities. Costs need to be identified but grants may be available to cover the greater part.

1.5 In place by

Much of the above requires on-going attention. This is a continual process and is included in our Annual Action Plan.

We already have contacts with local schools, i.e. Horton Kirby, Sutton-At-Hone, Knockhall, Wentworth and Wilmington Primary Schools. Through our Club Welfare Officer, we wish to strengthen these ties and approach other local schools.

An initial approach to the Parish Council was made in 2008 and discussions are ongoing.

2 MEMBERSHIP

2.1 What we have now

·         36 adult playing members

·         14 senior colts (14+) capable of playing in 1^st or 2^nd X1 games

·         138 junior colts (up to under14)

·         10 ECB qualified coaches (8 level 2, 2 level 1)

·         9 ECB qualified First Aiders

·         5 ECB qualified umpires

·         1 ECB qualified scorer

·         3 ECB qualified groundsmen

2.2 What we would like to have

·         An increase in adult membership through attracting talented players and retention of senior Colts as they mature

·         Sufficient colts at all age groups to enable continuous development

·         More and more highly qualified coaches

·         More qualified umpires and scorers, enough to cover all matches.

2.3 What we need to do

·         Advertise for players, umpires and scorers on the Club’s website, in the local press and in the Parish magazine.

·         Increase colts’ members by further developing links with schools.

·         Continue to provide excellent facilities for both playing and non-playing members.

·         Encourage members approaching retirement from the game to maintain active involvement through umpiring, scoring or coaching.

·         Identify and train willing volunteers from within the Colts’ parents to undertake coaching and other responsible roles.

2.4 What is the cost?

The cost per course for coaches is £175 for Level One and £275 for Level Two. Umpire courses are £30. Other actions demand time input from members.

2.5 In place by

This is an on-going requirement.

3 JUNIORS and COLTS SECTION

3.1 What we have now

·         We have a rapidly expanding colts section with 139 boys and 13 girls.

·         At present, we have teams at U9, U11, U 13 and U17 levels.

·         A Colts Manager/Junior Co-ordinator.

·         Five qualified coaches who take regular summer coaching sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings.

·         Indoor winter nets training from October through to the following April.

·         The U17 team play in the Mid Kent League.

·         The U 13 team competes in the |North Kent Junior league.

·         The U11 teams compete in the Mid-Kent and North Junior Leagues.

·         The U9’s compete in the Mini-Super 8 Tournaments.

·         We have a Colts Day during the club Cricket Week each year.

·         A new 3 bay artificial net practice facility.

3.2 What we would like to have

·         Continued recruitment and expansion in the numbers of colts

·         More and better qualified ECB coaches.

·         More parental involvement.

·         Links with other schools in the area.

·         Stronger ties with existing schools.

·         Colts sides competing in all age groups.

·         Start and develop girl’s colts’ teams.

·         More colts to be selected for District teams.

3.3  What we need to do

·         Action all points in 3.2.

·         Ensure that we nominate colts for District and County trials

3.4 The cost

·         Other costs are minimal other than that of coaching as previously stated.

3.5 In place by

·         Most actions are ongoing.

4.  Women’s and Girl’s Section

4.1 What we have now

At present we only a few girls in the junior colts section of the club, the eldest being 13 years old.

4.2 What we would like to have

Girl’s playing in all age groups. Then, ascertain if a Women’s section would be possible and viable.

4.3 What we need to do

Advertise locally for more girls to join in all age groups.

Be more pro-active in the schools that we already have contacts with.

Organise free taster sessions at local secondary schools for girls.

Ask existing girl members to encourage their friends to come to training sessions.

Separate changing facilities for girls will be required if numbers increase significantly.

4.4 The Cost

The initial monetary costs to recruit members will be minimal. The Club Development Officer and Coaches will be involved in the recruitment process, so their time will be needed.

4.4 In place by

Initial development should begin in 2008 and then become an ongoing action.

5 Coaching

5.1 What we have now

We have the following qualified coaches:

Dane Bull (L2)

Darren Bull (L2)

Jamie Ludlow (L2)

Paul Love (L2)

Darren Bridges (L2)

Andrew Chapman (L2)

Ben Crouch (L2)

Warren Bull (L2)

Tom Hawkes (L1)

Keeleigh Gugas (L1)

We have sufficient stumps, bails, balls, bats, pads and helmets for coaching practices.

We have six sets of Kwik-Cricket equipment.

We have a bowling machine.

We have a roll on mobile net.

New 3 bay practice nets.

5.1 What we would like to have

More and progressively higher qualified coaches. At least one new coach is to be identified and trained each year and/or existing coaches encouraged to progress to higher qualification.

 Two grass practice strips in the outfield.

5.3  What do we need to do

Encourage suitable parents and senior colts to become involved and to take courses.

The club will provide the funding to cover the costs of the courses.

Review annually.

5.4  What is the cost

£275 = Level 2 coaching course (less KCC rebates)

£175 = Level 1 coaching course (less KCC rebates)

5.5  In place by

Coaches - Ongoing. Good up-take of courses up to 2009 and already interest in 2010.

Grass practice strips – 2010.

6 Fixtures

6.1 Where are we now

·         We have two Saturday teams (1^st XI and 2^nd XI) in the Invicta League.

·         The Sunday 1^st X! Play in the South London Sunday League and the 2^nd X! play friendly matches. Sunday matches are used as a springboard for Colts development. Senior colts that do well are also considered for the Saturday League sides.

·         Under 17’s, under 13s,  and under 11s  play in local leagues..

·         Under 9’s play Kwik Cricket in the mini super 8’s tournament.

·         We also run a festival week each year with matches every day, including a dedicated colt’s day

6.2 Where we would like to be

·         We will continue to strive to provide cricket for all club members in conjunction with their ability and development.

·         The formation of a Saturday 3^rd XI League side to accommodate the large numbers of colts we foresee available in the near future. We do not want to lose juniors to other clubs. This will need the provision of a second ground to accommodate 3^rd X1matches and any increase in the number of colts’ fixtures.

·         Colts teams at all age groups including girls and perhaps eventually a women’s section.

·         Widen the interest of cricket to other members of the community. Encourage the public to watch the many fixtures that our teams are involved in.

6.3 What we need to do

·         Maintain training sessions, ensuring good quality coaching.

·         Recruit at schools, taking care to ensure that girls and people with disabilities know that they are welcome.

·         Increase membership at playing and non playing levels

·         Advertising fixtures and other activities within the community.

·         Continue discussion with the Parish Council regarding use of existing community land.

6.4  What is the cost

Provision of a second ground may require financing. Initially we will approach the Parish Council to see if we can utilise other existing community recreation facilities. Preparing a facility for use, e.g. Laying of a square and preparing the outfield, will require financing but grants may be available for this from ECB funds

6.5  In place by

Action to identify and source a second ground is needed now as it may take a year or two to bring up to a playing standard.

7 Equipment

7.1 What we have now

·         The club possesses a good range of equipment to prepare and maintain the playing area to a high standard. All equipment is in a good condition, although some is rather old and may soon need replacing. It is regularly checked and maintained. It includes:

·         2 Pitch/square mower(s)

·         1 motorised pitch roller

·         1 pitch scarifier

·         1 sit on 3 gang outfield mower

·         1 tractor

·         1 3/5 unit tractor drawn gang mower unit

·         1 tractor drawn topper unit

·         1 motorised push hayter

·         1 motorised strimmer

·         1 strip watering system

·         1 breathable pitch cover

·         1 plastic pitch cover

7.2 What we would like to have

·         A new outfield mower. The existing machine is so old that we can no longer obtain spare parts.

7.3 What we need to do

·         Maintain and replace existing equipment as necessary.

·         Investigate the cost of items in 7.2 and research grants available to fund this.

7.4 What will it cost

·         The committee will research the cost of major items.

7.5 In place by

·         Prepare a planned programme for replacement of all other equipment as required.

8 Local Community

8.1   What we have now

·         Kent over 50’s play some of their mid-week home games at HKCC.

·         Local cycle group using our pavilion as their headquarters’ – meeting on Wednesdays and occasionally for weekend road race days when they host visiting cycle clubs.

·         Our own football club who cannot at present play here but who use the pavilion for meetings.

·         Darts club – playing home matches in our pavilion.

·         Contact and sponsorship from –

o   Dartford Fire Brigade

o   Green Spice Indian Restaurant

o   Ceramic Tile Company

o   D & G

·         Ground let out to local businesses occasionally for company matches.

·         Annual Christmas party for colts and their siblings from the local community.

·         Annual colt’s dinner and presentation.

·         Contacts with five local schools.

8.2   What we would like to have

·         More sponsors.

·         Increase colts members to compete in all colts leagues at all age groups.

·         Contacts with more local schools – been started.

8.3   What we need to do

·         Advertise locally to make public aware of special events i.e. cricket week, fun days,

·         Appoint a development officer.

·         Maintain contacts with local press re results and events – ongoing.

8.4   What will it cost

·         Minimal – advertising costs.

Time and commitment – from personnel, especially the press officer.

8.5   In place by

·         Appoint a Development Officer in 2008.

·         Sponsorship etc ongoing.

9. Facilities

9.1 What we have now

The ground is owned by the club and is situated on the Franks Hall Estate. It was gifted to us by Mrs Wheeler, a previous owner of Franks Hall, in 1966. It was stipulated that only cricket related games should be played on the ground. In 2005 we were able to purchase a further 3 acres of land, enabling extension to the square and other opportunities for development of the club having already obtained planning permission for change of use to Leisure.

The club house is rendered block build and is a conversion and extensions (3) to the previous wooden structure financed entirely by the club in the last 15 years. The premises comprise:

·         two changing rooms and a communal shower room

·         The social area and licenced bar room, with adjoining kitchen which was completely re-fitted in 2004.

·         Separate ladies and gents toilets

·         A storage area

·         An integral garage, housing most of the ground equipment.

The ground comprises:

·         A 16 strip square maintained to a high standard and re-laid in 2004 by the Koro method, again financed by the club

·         A new 3 bay practice net facility financed by grants from ECB, KCPFA and club funds.

·          The playing outfield has been extended into part of the recently acquired extra land but cannot all be used until a power line support pole is removed and the cables laid underground as agreed between the club and EDF but subject to agreement of the neighbouring landowner. Discussions continue.

·         There is sufficient space for off road car parking but the existing car park is too small to accommodate the number of cars on most match/practice days. At present many cars have to be driven across the playing area to park on space available on the other side of the ground.

Other cricket facilities include:

·         One mobile practice net.

·         One bowling machine.

·         Two wooden sight screens.

·         One manual and one electronic scoreboard.

·         One breathable synthetic double pitch cover sheet

·         One non breathable single pitch cover sheet.

We have standard ECB insurance cover for personal liability and buildings and contents insurance and have an annual fire check carried out by an approved agent.

9.2   What we would like to have

·         The Bar and social area fully refurbished.

·         Another mobile practice net if usage so demands.

·         A second vehicle entrance to the ground situated to the east of the pavilion.

·         Agreement with the neighbouring land owner to enable works agreed with EDF to proceed.

·         A second ground for 3^rd X1 and some colts matches.

·         A safe recreation area for young children.

9.3 What we need to do

·         Obtain planning permission (imminent) to construct a second vehicle entrance to the ground.

·         Obtain approval of our neighbour for works proposed by EDF.

·         Develop the remainder of the recently acquired land as parkland and as a safe playing area for children and for spectators to sit.

·         Maintain and strengthen ties with the local community and encourage them to use our facilities.

9.4 What will it cost

Bar refurbishment                    cost to be investigated

Power line alterations               £Nil (EDF funded)

Second entrance                      £1500

9.5 In place by

New Artificial nets                   Installed summer 2009

New pitch cover                      Purchased January 2008

Power line alterations               ASAP

Bar refurbishment                    2010

Second entrance                      Awaiting planning permission

1.    SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN