Press Release

NEWHAM CRICKET CLUB KICKS OFF NEW SEASON WITH FLANDERS SHIELD

Newham cricket club launched its new season at Flanders Playing Field on Monday with a primary schools' competition for the Flanders Shield which was jointly won by Lathom and Hartley Schools.

Club Chairman Richard Henchley congratulated all participating teams and presented the shield to the winning captains, saying "This competition marks the end of a lot of hard work by a lot of people over the last year and the beginning of our new season. This year we are running teams for under 11s, 13s and 15s and adults and hope to provide in the near future for women and girls and disabled competitors as well."

Newham Cricket Club provide coaching sessions at Flanders Field for colts (ages 10 - 16) on Mondays from 5-7pm, Saturday mornings from 9.30 to 11.30am (ages 10, 11 & 12) and on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 (ages 13, 14 &15). Fees are £2 per session.

The club will also be running a colts summer school from 9th to 13th and 16th to 20th August from 10am to3pm. Fees will be £25 per week. To register log in via the club website at newhamcc.co.uk.

The club have had tremendous support from Essex County Cricket Board, Newham Council and Bonny Downs Community Association over the past year. As part of an ongoing development plan the club are currently working with partners to develop a new 3 bay practice nets facility at Flanders Field. It is hoped that this will be in place for the latter part of the summer.

Paul McNeil , secretary of Newham Primary Schools cricket welcomed the new season, saying "We desperately need a community-based facility like this. It is a real shame that our young sportspeople have had to leave the borough for so long to find coaching and competition. As a borough we have huge potential and pent up demand. I am looking forward to the season ahead."

Richard Henchley concluded "We are a growing club helping to meet huge need in Newham for club cricket, particularly for young people. In addition to developing better cricketers, we are a family orientated club that encourages excellent standards of discipline and behaviour and strives to promote fair play and good sportsmanship throughout the club."

To find out more if you want to participate or would like to help, come to training or visit the http://www.newhamcc.co.uk/contact-us.php