We held our first committee meeting after the AGM in November. A number of topics were discussed and I would like to update you on them. First and foremost the committee’s roles and responsibilities were established as follows:
William Heath Chairman, Ground manager, Juniors Liaison & Pavilion project
Joost Mees Vice-chairman, Match-manager coordination, Cricket Day Manager & Events
Richard Neale Captain, deputy Training Coordination, deputy Cricket Day Manager, Ground staff
Wayne Codd Secretary, Membership, BCF and LCF Liaison
Tony Whiteman Treasurer, LCF Liaison
Graham Cope Fixtures Secretary, Ground staff, 2nd Team Manager, LCF Liaison
Saransh Kulshrestha Vice-captain, Ground staff
Ananth Srisailapathy Website and Communications
Tim Andrews Wendy House Manager, Events
Vikram Vijh Training Manager (support from Richard Neale, Phil Burleigh & James Barker)
The selection committee as agreed at the AGM is as follows: Richard Neale (Chairman), William Heath, Phil Burleigh.
Secondly, I would like to give a quick update on latest topics being discussed and worked on by your committee.
Second Team
As you know, we were looking into the viability of fielding a second team in the Belgian Cricket Federation League. We held three trial matches and sounded out many playing members. We also asked members interested in organising the team to volunteer. We are happy to say that, after a hiatus of eight years, the club will go ahead and field a second team in the BCF for the 2018 season. The team will be managed as follows:
Captain Girish Venkateswaran
Vice-captain Mohit Dixit
Team manager Graham Cope
Congratulations and a great many thanks to Girish (who joins the selection committee), Mohit and Graham for their commitment to the club and the second team.
Fixtures
All you cricketers may be hunkering down for the winter, but this is the busiest time of the year for fixtures secretary, Graham Cope, who is in full production mode for all the fixtures which need to be setup for next year at the only ground in Luxembourg. BCF league matches, for first and now second team, friendlies, LCF fixtures, Internationals, six-a-side tournament, etc.
Club kit
We have been informed by the BCF that as of next season, all cricket will be played with a white ball and teams will need to take the field in coloured clothing. We are in the process of sourcing providers and designs.
Ground
Our outfield has once again been invaded by molehills. We already carried out a treatment program last year, but need to look at further options. We would love to invest further in improving the outfield, but cannot progress until we have solved the mole problem.
The pavilion project is ongoing. We have been delayed a few months by a change of regime at the Walferdange Commune, i.e. the decision takers. However, the project team of Tony Whiteman, Optimists ex-chairman Robert Deed and yours truly are on top of things and aim to meet with the Commune early next year.
The artificial wicket is coming to the end of its life and will need replacing asap. We aim to do this before the beginning of the 2018 season and the committee approved the budget for this. We are now contacting suppliers and liaising with the LCF.
Awards Dinner
There will be an awards dinner around the end of February 2018 to celebrate the achievements of 2017, both individual and team. More information as and when.
Finally, a big thank you for all those members who turned out for a fun event at the Christmas market in town the other night. I wish you and your loved ones all the best for the festive period and look forward to seeing you in the new year for another big season at the OCC.
William Heath
Chairman