Sheffield Collegiate Cricket ClubOne of the world's finest cricket clubs

The SCCC Annual Race Night due to take place on Thursday 25th February 2010 at Baldwin’s Omega has been postponed and will now take place on Thursday 13th May 2010 at the same venue.

More details will follow but support would be welcome as it is an important fund raiser for us.

As promised last year following Riaz’s departure we have implemented a new coaching structure for 2010 and are pleased to announce our plans.

Nadeem Khan (ex Pakistan International) will be taking over as Head Coach and will take full responsibility for the club’s Senior & Junior coaching sessions.

Tom Lister has been appointed Assistant Head Coach and will co-ordinate and take responsibility, in accordance with guidelines from the Head Coach, for the club’s Junior coaching sessions.

It is our intention to maintain high ethical standards in coaching and prepare all coaching sessions in advance. We will also encourage and co-ordinate coaching development and standards.

All SCCC players will be given the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

We are also delighted to announce that Joe Root (Yorkshire YCCC & England U19 International) will be returning to play for the club in the Yorkshire League this season (Subject to YCCC commitments) and also assist Nadeem with the club’s coaching sessions.

Issrar launches his pro career at Sheffield City Hall on Feb 20th.

So far i have been asked to get tickets for :
Dicko, Rooty x3, Stewie, Waif, Big T Miller, Rob Barlow x3, Graysie, Jonesy, Priesters, Me...so that's 14 of us.

I think it's about 6 fights, probably 4-5 rounds each. Tickets are £55 ringside, or £30 free seating, so i've gone for the £30 tickets.
Suggest, meet at 5.30 - 6.00pm in a pub near City Hall, then head in at about 7.00 - 7.30.

Think Izzy will be on early as it's his first fight, and it starts at 8.00pm.

Have a look at the link on Liam Cameron's site
http://www.liamcameron.co.uk/index.php/liam-cameron-news-stories/64-liam...

Should be a good night whatever happens. Anyone else want to go then let me know.
Cheers, Ed

I am not sure when or even if I agreed to Captain the Academy side for 2009! I am sure Ibbo and Hamps will maintain that I did indeed agree!

Having played and at times skippered the side in Division One the previous season I felt I knew enough to suggest that the role would be rewarding and challenging in equal measure.

The background to the season was relegation from Division One with just one victory, thanks to the carpet bowls skills of Goldberg in holding his nerve to run out the last Oughtibridge batsman. Our performance simply reflected a step too far too soon for the team in a very tough league. We did however continue to do things properly and to give 100%. The benefit of this was evident during the 2009 season.

I went in to the season safein the knowledge that the past was mine and the future belongs the lads who would come under my leadership for season 2009.

My strong view was that the side should consist of players capable of going on to first eleven cricket and hopefully beyond together with more senior players who had experienced cricket at that level and who could assist young players in their progress towards that goal.

I apologise if this did not meet with universal approval but not too strongly.

It also became apparent during the course of the season that perhaps the second eleven for a variety of reasons was not the best place for young cricketers to continue their path towards first eleven cricket. I therefore tried to shield as many players as possible from that experience, again controversially (what me?) but in my view for good reason.

I hoped at the outset that every young player who played for the club would give his all in terms of training and on match days and that each one of them would improve as a cricketer and learn from the Academy experience. I am satisfied that nearly every single player achieved this, which stands the club in good stead for the future.

One or two more senior players were adopted along the way as part of their rehabilitation and hopefully were all the better for the experience. No not you Priesters!

There were times when there was a distinct lack of more senior players and Simmo at 26 was next in time to myself, followed by the positively ageing 21 year old Tom Lister! We must ensure that Simmo has a better balance for 2010.

Thanks to all the parents who provided assistance with transport when the number of eligible drivers in the team fell as low at 2!

So, many highs, many frustrations, the usual internal conflict or two later how did we fare. Well despite relegation (which may be no bad thing for the club long term) I would say we achieved a considerable amount.

The players under the excellent guidance of Riaz trained hard in well structured practice sessions. They represented the club in keeping with the Collegiate tradition of hard but fair play and impressed many opponents, umpires etc along the way. This was probably best demonstrated in our cup run and in our ultimately unsuccessful final appearance. That day summed up what we are trying to achieve.

We also it must be noted won 7 league matches and were relegated by 1 point in a league containing a good number of first elevens. I think in so far as a side which is relegated can say this, we achieved an awful lot.

To all who sailed in her the Academy ship was a happy one I believe, an environment in which young players felt able to express themselves and to improve their cricket. This is in no small measure to the contributions made by the likes of Hamps, Mr Chairman Sir, Priesters, Simmo, Shaka and Lobber (apologies to those senior charges not named- you know who you are).

I wish my successor Simmo all the very best for season 2010 and look forward to working closely with him in my capacity as leader of the Stiffs. I also look forward to working with a good number of the 2009 Academy team on their journey to YL cricket. Josh and T have already had a taste of YL cricket and have both made promising starts. May there be many more!

The junior section of the club could not be healthier and is a credit to those volunteers who have given their time to developing young cricketers. In particular Julie Lister and Riaz. Apologies to the many others.

Here's to a succesful 2010 season whilst not forgetting many happy memories of the 2009 season.

Cheers

Jonesy

I have collated all my match reports (we are just a couple short Simmo),scorecards , player profiles and this summary and will be happy to add any photos to the account if anyone can assist.

I will be happy to provide copies of the finished but far from polished product should anyone be so obviously short of anything worthwhile to do.

Due to bad weather conditions ALL District nets at Bawtry Rd have been cancelled . Please check website for any future cancellations.

I'm sure you'll all like to join me in congratulating Waif and his Mrs Liz on the birth of their second child, Jack.

Jack was born on Boxing Day and already the likeness with his father is clear for all to see. It's rumoured that his journey from the womb was rather crab-like (ala Waif's batting style) and on entering the world, Jack looked around the delivery suite, grabbed a hankerchief and in true Longley style, blew his hooter like a good 'un. Fortunately, Jack, like his elder brother Daniel appear to have been spared the infamous Longley nose.

The news of Jack's birth has had mixed response particularly in the Barnsley region where Elsecar fast bowling hero, Paul Tasker was quoted as saying " **** me! Now there's 3 of them going to be trying to destroy me! I'm off to join the Central Yorkshire League!" Elsecar CC are currently deciding whether to take legal action against both Longers and Colegiate.

Waif meanwhile is over the moon and celebrated Jack's arrival by cracking open the Lenor, putting a wash on and attacking the pile of ironing that had been left for him. This part is actually a part-lie. Waif also got s**t-faced as usual.

It is in fact no accident that Waif has named his children Jack and Daniel which is very reminiscent of a famous alcoholic drink. However, reports that he is sponsored by the brewers of Jack Daniels are unfounded at this stage. I'm sure we will learn more when Longers' autobiography, 'Me, the ironiong and a bottle of Thunderbird.' is released in the summer.

Seriously though, congratulations to both Longers and Liz and of course Wiz who is now a specialist Grandafather

UPDATE

The club would like to announce that Andy Udall (U17 Manager & 5th teamer) will be taking over the reigns as Fixture Secretary.

Once again we would like to thank Andy Leiper for all his hard work in the role over the years.
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As announced at the AGM, Andy Leiper has resigned as Fixture Secretary and so we are looking for a replacement.

Andy has done the bulk of the work for 2010 season and once he has the remaining fixtures in, he will collate the schedule and pass to his successor. He has also stated he will be available should any advice be needed.

The club would like to thank Andy for all his hard work in this role over the years.
Any member be interested in the role, please contact Tim Pickford on 07831 102836 or at tim.pickford@rillatech.co.uk

Fellow Club Members,

The Emerging Squad under the excellent management of Ian Mines have organised a spinathon at Virgin gym this coming Saturday.

For various reasons, not all valid excuses I am sure, not enough of the team have volunteered to take part to fill all the slots.

Having personally declined Ian's kind invitation to take part I received a rebuke from Mrs J who felt I was being too harsh on the members of the squad in criticising their failure to fill all saddles. She has therefore volunteered to take part and cycle for one hour to raise funds for the squad.

Riaz Richards has resigned as Head Coach for personal reasons. He is returning to South Africa later this week and is currently unlikely to be coming back to Sheffield in the New Year. We would like to thank Riaz for all he has done for the Club over the last few years and wish him well for the future.
We have already begun to implement a new coaching regime which we hope to have fully in place for the winter net sessions beginning in January.

The senior awards were presented at the annual dinner held at Baldwins Omega last month. The list of winners for 2009 is:

Clubman of the Year: Bill Croft

Yorkshire League

Best Batsman: Nick Gaywood
Best Bowler: Nadeem Khan
Player of the Year: Alex Patmore

South Yorkshire League

2nd XI Best Batsman: James Colton
2nd XI Best Bowler: Mark Longley
3rd XI Best Batsman: Danny Walton
3rd XI Best Bowler: Ben Fielding
Player of the Year: James Colton

Yorkshire & Derbyshire League

Friday 13th turned out lucky for some at the Yorkshire Junior Presentation Evening.Our own Jack Lister who opened the bowling all season for Yorkshire U13A with an economy rate of less than 2 (impressive) was named UNDER 13 MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER.
Jack is now being well looked after and nurtured at Headingley as a fast bowling talent of the future.
As Junior Co-ordinator i am always proud of our lads success but on this occasion as Mum i am especially proud - well done Jack.

Congratulations to Richard Kettleborough on his promotion to the International Umpires Panel. We wish him all the best. Congratulations also to Joe Root for winning the Man of the Series award on the recent England U/19 tour of Bangladesh. Along with the launch of Michael Vaughan's book, this makes for a very good few weeks for the club.

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/433608.html

http://www.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/image/432956.html

In an effort to improve winter nets, I'd like to have a 2hr session next year. The only way though is to change from a Thursday to a Monday evening.

Rather than simply making the change, I'd like to know if players are in favour of this change or if they'd prefer we keep our normal Thursday session.

I'd appreciate if people could either respond on here or email me directly with their thoughts - riazrichards@hotmail.com

We need a decision in the next few weeks so I'd like responses asap.

News that will no doubt please everyone from Collegiate captain, the junior fast bowlers themselves and members such as Jonesy, Lobber, Angry and Sealy who have had to put their bodies under constant strain for the last how many years to compensate!

SCCC Annual Dinner Dance 2009

As no posts yet re the above, I thought I would shove my head above the parapet. Being a first timer I can only comment on what I found on this occasion, and that was a most enjoyable night.

Baldwin’s usually is a safe bet and this occasion was no exception. That said, the food was only part of the success story the speakers on the night were top form especially with last years exploits to discuss.

By my reckoning 35 players represented the Academy this season. Please shout up if you have been overlooked. Here is my take on to the individuals concerned. Don't look now if easily offended!

Andy Simpson, The Optician. An able Vice Captain. I think that is how Nina described him! He has been invaluable as a relatively senior player (26!). Despite having to work Saturday mornings he has always arrived on time and for the early part of the season performed the duties of Treasurer with an efficiency that Malcolm Glazer would admire.

Following a great win on the Saturday with youth celebrating long into the night with new found female company (hopefully not a sign of new priorities??), final home game against Warmsworth, who were pushing for promotion. On the main pitch was a nice end, but a damp wicket was not going to help anyone. Requiring just the 1 point for survival, the toss proved very important, but this is the where the day went...Simmo still as captain for the weekend tossed, and their vice-captain (captain not turned up yet) called correction, for the sixth time in a row this year!