From our new Junior Chairman: Nick Gooding

Dear Junior Parents,
 
As some of you may know I have taken over from Matthew Finnegan as Chairman of the Junior Section of the Club. Matthew who held the position for four years, whilst running two teams in his age group, is a very hard act to follow. However I will try my best.
 
As an introduction my Grandson, who will be in next seasons under 13 squad, has been playing at the Club since he was an under 8. I was the Age Group manager for his Under 9 team through to Under 12 last season. I have been invited to take over the Chair of the Juniors by the GCC Committee and so will be stepping down from my Age Group Manager role handing over to my very good friend Manoj Styche-Patel. I will retain my role as Head of Governance at the Club.
 
I have had wide experience of being involved in sport. In 1986 I founded Onslow Boys Football Club which is still going evermore strongly after 35 years. I was a local football referee for 29 years and in a context of my profession as a Lloyd’s Underwriter I served on the Committee of Lloyd’s Football Club which played friendly matches to a very high standard.
 
Enough about me. Guildford Cricket Club has a huge and proud history in the development of youngsters playing the game. If you step inside the Pavilion you will see pictures of players who have gone on to play County and International Cricket who started with us as juniors. However, whilst being a successful by-product of our junior offering it is not the main aim. Our main aim, on my watch, will be to introduce children to the fun and pleasure of playing cricket whatever their ability when they join and for family and friends to enjoy being part of our club.
 
We shall be offering excellent coaching, encouragement and instilling a sense of fun in to playing the beautiful game in a no pressure environment.  
 
Part of my agenda is to encourage more girls to join us where they can play in their age group or with an age group below. We are linked with the Surrey CC Foundation and the ECB about expanding our disability offering and we are also looking to strengthen  our links with local State Schools.
 
Most importantly the Junior Section has thrived through the volunteers from the Junior Club. This involves helping out the Age Group Managers on match days with setting up pitches, scoring and umpiring. In the wider Club context we need volunteers to help us when we host Surrey Championship County Cricket and one day games where we need help in the tea tent and in the bars. The profit from these events feeds directly back into the Junior Club.
 
Please feel free to contact me, at any time, regarding Junior Club issues and volunteering messages will be particularly welcome.
 
I look forward to meeting you soon.