Dear NMCC Supporter,
As the half way point in the season approaches with all the senior teams in good shape (or better) and record numbers of Colts in action, we thought members might appreciate a quick update on a few issues which have been taking up a fair bit of our time over the last few weeks.
Ps - don't forget to come along to the NMCC Club BBQ this Saturday Night (4th July).
THE GROUND
- Firstly, everyone must have noticed how much better the ground is looking this year, despite the usual lack of maintenance carried out at the end of last season and during the winter. New groundsman Bob deserves much praise for his hard work and enthusiasm. We very much hope that he will become a permanent fixture at the Midd, though that remains to be seen.
- Bob has of course been helped a lot by having several pieces of new machinery to play with, replacing the antiquated stuff left by Frank Shepherd. Hats off to the Pavilion for finding the cash to pay for most of this. NMCC has played its part though, as we paid £3,300 to buy the Ransomes 36” mower, and have just contributed £1,000 to purchase 2 attachments for the Cushman machine which arrived this week - Bob assures us that they will make a big difference to both the squares and the outfield .The equipment we have paid for out of Club funds is, of course, the property of NMCC.
PAVILION DEVELOPMENT PLANS
- The Pavilion are once again seeking planning permission to develop the top end of the site, aiming in essence to install several all weather pitches suitable for 5 a side football and other sports – thus generating much needed all year round income.
- The plans include laying an artificial surface over the entire current net area, and hopefully increasing the number of nets from 2 to 4, which would benefit NMCC considerably.
- We, and in particular Cliff, Richard and Rob, have been liaising with Theo as the Pavilion’s plans take shape, and also taking part in discussions with local conservation groups and other interested parties. It remains to be seen whether the Pavilion will get the go-ahead this time. If they do, we are assured that all works will be completed, and damage to the outfield made good, well before the start of next season.
THE SHOWERS
- After much lobbying of Theo, we think we have cracked the “cold shower” problem. A new boiler has been installed which serves only the showers and basins, whereas before the showers and kitchen were competing for an inadequate supply of hot water. If you still find the showers are cold, please take your complaints to Theo!
NMCC KIT
- We still have a fair stock of new-style NMCC shirts, trousers and caps, plus a good many of the excellent new sweaters which arrived just in time for the heat wave. Do please let Sue or Rob know if you would like to try anything on.
COACHING CO-ORDINATOR
- There has been a good response to the arrival of our new coaching co-ordinator Mikey Thompson. Mikey is incredibly well connected in Cricket circles. He is a vastly experienced Coach whose CV includes running the successful Hackney Cricket Academy, managing visually impaired cricketers, players with learning difficulties, ladies cricket teams , using street cricket to bring communities together in the Middle East and counter knife crime in Hackney. He is also a former player for the Midd.
- Mikey’s main focus is to advance the standard and consistency of our Colts’ and Senior Coaching and review initiatives like setting up a Colts’ Academy.. Please feel free to ask him for advice on ways to improve your own game or how you coach others. A number of players are already reporting positive results. We are paying Mikey for his time so please make the most of his skills.
- Mikey will be with us until about the end of August. We are very grateful to Budgens, the supermarket chain, who have contributed £1,000 towards the cost of this project – well done Ed for leading the charge on this. Mikey, with funding from Haringey, is also working (wearing NMCC colours) to bring cricket to schools in the east of Haringey and will be directing talented players to the Midd.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Part of the reason for hiring Mikey was to further our Development Plan goal of increasing links into the local community.
- Other steps forward have included a number of our Coaches running a day long cricket workshop for Highgate Woods School, working with the Pavilion to make the Ground available to local Schools during the day – there are currently about 4 Schools using our pitches on a regiular basis.
- Most recently we helped Haringey Sports Development to organise and run the hugely successful ‘Haringey Schools Kwik Cricket Festival’. 26 local Schools and 260 primary school kids took part playing on 8 pitches marked on the Midd outfield. Bob and lots of other people at the Midd and the Pavilion helped in the preparation and on the day. See www.haringeysport.com soon for pics.
SENIOR/COLTS INTEGRATION
- Going well with lots of Seniors helping with Colts’ Coaching and Colts making an increasing contribution to the success of the Senior teams.
- Pistol Pete’s brilliant Fantasy League has generated great interest from Colts families in the Senior section .
- Following the success of the Quiz and pre Season Supper we have our Club BBQ after the matches on Sat. 4th July. The Pavilion have agreed that we can buy and cook our own food for this event so it should be a cracker. Please support this event and have a great evening – hopefully we will have another 4 wins to celebrate that night!
Good luck to all for the rest of the season,
The NMCC Committee.
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