Dublin University Cricket Club Programme 2013

SUCH is the Thirds passion for cricket that the 2012 season had only been over a few weeks before we started back in the nets! Once again we have benefited greatly from regular coach- ing sessions with Ireland all-rounder Trent Johnston and Trinity’s own George Dockrell. With regular and sus- tained coaching the improvement in people’s game is obvious and bodes well for the season to come. Not only has the commitment from established club player been pleasing, but so too is the number of new faces that have been coming along to train- ing this winter. Among them is Junior Fresh- man Science student Laurence Kenchington. Originally from England, Laurence moved to Co. Mayo with his family as a teenager. Such is his enthusi- asm for cricket, Laurence and his Dad went as far as to form their own club in 2011, St Gerald’s CC. Initially set up through Laurence’s school, interest at firstwas lagging, and it was not until his father took over the reigns that the club grew. Making use of the limited kit the school had provided, and thanks to the generosity of the local rugby club that allowed St Gerald’s to use its facilities, Laurence and his father kept at it. As training intensified, so too did in- terest. Laurence’s father explains how, “As soon as we started training seri- ously we had a number of adults, mainly Indian and Pakistanis, whowere all desperate to play cricket.” As school holidays started the club were training three times a week, though admittedly numbers at training were often small due to work commit- ments. Nevertheless all that training made an impact, “the ones who stuck at it improved immensely during that summer, although unfortunately we were always up against more experi- enced adults and we lost every game.” Despite their best efforts the club only lasted one season, as all themost com- mitted lads diverted their attention to their LeavingCert exams and lifeahead. However, thanks the Trinity, and the opportunities that having training all over the winter has offered, Laurence has been able to get back intohis cricket. Inpartic- ular Laurence has said rather than finding the club intimi- dating or expecting toomuch of him, it has been fun, and the atmosphere friendly. He is just one of many new mem- bers this season whose passion for cricket has been reignited by the op- portunity to prepare and practice be- fore the season begins. This is an opportunity that has been taken by many – we have had up to 20 people per session, both men and women. So great has the enthusiasm been that after christmas we had to double up to two sessions a week. Everyone has worked very hard over the winter and are looking forward to some well deserved rewards over the season, both individually, and as a team. Rob Gorvin The West’s Awake JF cricketer sets up his own club in Co. Mayo