THE RECENT HISTORY OF NEWHAVEN CRICKET CLUB’S
YOUTH SECTION

 

 

Although Newhaven have run youth teams for many years, it wasn’t until Gary Dove joined the club in 1999 that a fully formulated Youth Section began.

Initially Gary invited boys from the local Primary Schools down to Fort Road Recreation Ground on Saturday mornings in the summer of 1999. Expecting about a dozen to turn up, Gary had arranged for a few dads that he knew who played cricket to come down and give him a hand. To his surprise and delight approximately 30 kids attended and so began the present structure as we know it.

Over the next couple of years, with the help of Nigel Enever (Under 12’s), Kevin Woods & Paul Daniels (Under 14’s) and Pete Tullett (Under 16’s) sides were entered in the East Sussex Junior League. In 2001 the Under 14’s were Runners-up and probably would have won the league if Jake Robinson, who was batting well in the deciding game against Lewes Priory, had not been given out LBW by the opposing umpire when the ball hit him on the thigh-pad!! However, as always the umpire’s decision is final. The following year, the Under 16’s won the league having a tremendous season that culminated by them winning a tight match against St. Peters.
 

Individual players have also received recognition. Jake Robinson played in the annual Under 15’s East Sussex v West Sussex match in 2002 and Danny Pollard played in this fixture the following year. In 2004 the representative structure was changed bringing in the present four Areas, Eastern Eagles, Southern Sabres, Northern Knights and Western Warriors, at a level just below the full Sussex age-group squad. The following season Newhaven players started to make their mark with George Burton-Durham (Under 10’s), George Davies and Joshua Hinde (Under 11’s), making the Eastern Eagles squad for matches against the other Areas. Joshua continued his development by getting into the Under 12’s squad in 2006.

In the spring of 2003 Gary had arranged for the 3 Primary Schools in Peacehaven and the 3 in Newhaven to all have After-School Cricket Coaching. Off the back of this initiative, one of the coaches, Derek Pullen, notified Gary of the increasing numbers of girls who were attending his sessions. Between them they invited all those who were interested to come along to the Saturday morning coaching sessions and so began the Girls Section. This received a tremendous boost the following summer when Newhaven were asked to represent Lewes District in the 2004 BAA Sussex Youth Games at Horsham. Winning 6 of their 7 matches, they won the tournament. The squad of 10 (8 played in each match) performed fantastically well on a scorching hot day. The same year Kadie Wright made history by becoming the first Newhaven girl to play for Sussex Girls when she made the Under 11’s team, even though she was only 10. In 2005 Emma Rix followed Kadie into the Under 11’s squad, with Stephanie Harrison & Bethan Terrey making the Under 13’s team.


In 2006 a record number of teams represented Newhaven in various leagues and competitions. The Boys Under 12’s, 14’s & 16’s, plus the Girls Under 13’s & Under 16’s, played in the East Sussex Junior League. The Boys Under 11’s played in the Brighton, Hove & District Under 11’s League. The Boys Under 12’s participated in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival winning 3 of their 4 matches and came top of their group. The Boys Under 11’s played in the Firle Cricket Tournament, reaching the semi-finals.

Although it is great when teams and individuals do well, there are 2 main reasons for running a Youth Section. Firstly, to give all youngsters in the local area who want to give cricket a go, the opportunity to be coached and play matches in a safe environment. Secondly and more longer term, it is to produce players who will be good enough to play in the senior sides. In the 2006 season the First Team had seven players who were 20 years of age or under and have come through our youth teams (Matt & Daryl Tullett, Lee & Danny Pollard, Richard Deacon, Russ Barden and Michael Pryer). The Second Team had five of the Under 16’s side playing regularly (Lewis Thomsett, Will Lovell, James Latter, Lawrence Sanded and Kieran Woods). They also gave opportunities to two Under 14’s, Liam Anscombe and Josh Flint, plus Joshua Hinde from the Under 12’s, to make their debuts.

The challenge to all those involved in coaching and managing the youth teams is to continue to develop and improve the skills of the individuals under their supervision. Gary is also keen to set up, in the next few years, a Ladies Team so that the girls presently playing in the Under 16’s & 13’s sides, can continue to play cricket as they get older.

Although Gary is the main driving force behind the present successful youth structure, he cannot do it all on his own. It is one of the strengths of Newhaven Cricket Club that many volunteers are prepared to give up their time and put so much effort into providing opportunities for boys and girls in the Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs area to play cricket. Long may it continue.