There’s about nine weeks until Christmas. Are you on the “Good”, or “Naughty List”? If you are looking for any stocking-fillers, then why not consider the purchase of some cricket equipment from Lorimers? The selection of Hartlepool Cricket Club clothing can be found on the following link, :-

http://www.lorimers4cricket.co.uk/store/Hartlepool-c41411631

As to the Under 11s to the Under 17s, please contact your Young Cricketer’s respective Coach to confirm which type of clothing will be worn in matches. For example, the Under 11s will play and train wearing the blue tops that were received this year as part of payment of the annual junior memberships : blue tops and blue bottoms to be worn when playing matches. As will be seen, Lorimers now stock blue pullovers to match the blue shirts.

On Thursday, 15th October, 2020 an Extraordinary Meeting of the Junior Committee was held. There were two issues up for discussion.

Firstly, from 2021 the Junior Section is to use the cricket facilities at High Tunstall School for some matches and training sessions. This is a fantastic development. The facilities at High Tunstall will be in addition to those at Park Drive. They have an excellent artificial wicket. Steps are being taken to investigate the feasibility of having a couple of grass wickets. More details to be confirmed later about this fantastic development, including details of fundraising ideas to help equip this additional facility for our Young Cricketers. Chris Smith is thanked for his hard work in liaising with “High Tunstall” about this development, which further cements a great relationship between the Cricket Club and our neighbouring secondary school.

The other issue under discussion related to indoor training.

The Junior Section is aiming to start its indoor training in January, 2021, with Mill House Leisure Centre being used on a Friday evening, (6pm to 8pm), and on a Sunday afternoon, (1pm to 3pm). The plan is to also use the new indoor nets at High Tunstall too. With the Coronavirus Pandemic still ongoing and not showing an real signs of being “defeated”, appropriate arrangements will be put in place to ensure the health and safety of our Young Players and our Coaches who attend such indoor training sessions. This will include the required risk assessments being undertaken, track and trace recording and having due regard to the prevailing ECB Guidelines regarding indoor training.

A Covid-19 Symptoms Checker, (sourced via ProActive), has also been acquired which attendees will need to complete before they attend “Winter training”. Parents and carers will be asked to complete this “Checker” on behalf of their Young Cricketer. Coaches will also be asked to complete this too. Under the “Checker”, (which can be completed via smart-phones), attendees will self assess for symptoms of Covid-19 and will then declare whether they are fit and well to attend their intended training session. Once the “Checker” has been completed and submitted an e-mail will be received confirming whether the individual has been passed fit, or not to participate in the training session. If the Coronavirus Pandemic is still prevalent come the 2021 cricket season, then this “Checker” will also be used for outdoor training and matches.

Details of the Junior Section’s indoor training sessions will be confirmed in due course.

Finally, let’s hope 2021 will bring good news in terms of the battle against Covid-19.