Dear fellow Optimists,
The playing season has long since
drawn to a close and your committee's thoughts now turn to planning the next
season.
We have developed quite a player base
over the last couple of seasons, and a significant number of you have shown an
interest in competitive cricket which in turn has translated into our third
consecutive title of the BCF second division. Now part of this has been down to
the healthy competition for places in the first team, keeping established first
teamers on their toes. But at the same time, we have sensed a desire to
introduce a second team into the BCF league competition. This would not be the
first time, as we fielded a second team in the BCF for many years, until the
lack of availability put too much of a strain on the playing membership to be
viable.
As you know, we decided to test the
waters during the summer, by organising three internal fixtures which would guage
the appetite and availability of potential second team players. I was not
present at these games, but my vice chairman and first team captain fed back
useful information to me.
Firstly, and most encouragingly,
there was some very good availability and we were able to field 11 vs 11 for
all of the matches.
Secondly, during the informal talks at
these matches, there seemed to be a real appetite for the OCC to field a second
XI with many players putting their hands up to confirm that they would commit
to being available and traveling to away games etc.
Finally, but less encouragingly,
punctuality and reliability seemed to be an issue. Now, while punctuality is a
matter of respect for your team members as well as your opponents in any game
of cricket, there is an added logistical complication when you consider that a
large number of potential second XI games would be played in Belgium and
require car pooling. We simply cannot afford to have three players wait for a
fourth when traveling two or three hours to a game in Belgium. Furthermore, you
should all be aware that there is a fines system in place when a team fails to
turn up and forfeits again. Supplemented to that, a ‘three-strikes-and-out’ policy
for recurring offences.
As a result, the committee have
deliberated and have concluded that entering a second XI into the BCF once again
would require a fully dedicated captain and possibly even a team manager in
order to take the bull by the horns and run this team with great energy and
commitment. Please bear in mind that this would not necessarily exclude you from playing for the first XI.
As of yet, we have not found anybody
within our playing membership who seems to fit the description. Which is why I
reach out to you all, in case we have missed someone. If you feel that you
could commit to organising and potentially skippering the second XI then please
come forward to either myself or club captain, Richard Neale.
We need to have this sorted before
the end of the year, as the deadline for entering a new team in the BCF league
is early in the New Year.
Finally, a note for your diary - the
club AGM on 23rd November. You should have received a notice of this from club
secretary Wayne Codd. All full members, who are not benefitting from the free
first year deal, are welcome to come along and participate.
Looking forward to hearing from you
all.
Best regards,
William Heath
Chairman, OCC