Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2022

25 25 ON THE PITCH Understandably members’ excitement did dilute a little throughout the four years, but it is back and there is a common purpose. e move should attract better players and help build a more resilient junior set-up: “When we set it up two of us had already got cricket coaching quali cations. When another four or ve volunteers then gained theirs we could make the scheme work, and it still does “Like so many cricket clubs we have longevity and diversity in our playing ranks. One or two of us have been here since the early 70s, and nine players are of Asian descent. Our club has probably been represented at any one time by four di erent nationalities in our two senior teams - we have a reputation for being a broad church.” UP TO DATE By early December 2021 the club had been given permission to build their brick pavilion with slate or tiled roof, complete with two changing rooms, showers/toilets, scoreboard space and a tearoom/ occasional bar. Dave says: “We will be able to provide cricket teas for the teams in a pleasant environment with a real sense of pride and identity, along with space for our meetings without having to use a pub or someone’s front room. “Now we are just waiting for some information that will enable our contractors to get a spade in the ground in early January. ey indicate that it is a 12 week project and although we have to factor in the implications of any bad weather, we would like to think it will be in place for us to commence playing from 1 May onwards. “ e building has to comply with ECB speci cations which means that we can be happy that we are bang up to date with the current spec. Even the corridors are a speci c width to allow for wheelchair use. “We have time before then to deal with the netting which of course requires much less time to put in place. Hopefully we will soon be thinking about an opening celebration. Who knows, if we can get a sponsor on board, we will be incorporating their name at the new ground! Whatever happens I am indebted to the help from people I have already mentioned, along with Treasurer, Malcolm Turner, for our discussions along the way.” * Anyone kindly wishing to help with a nancial donation or o er of construction materials can contact Dave Colegate on davecolegate@hotmail. co.uk