Cricket Club Update: Marathons, Milestones and Match Prep!

Tara & Ned Campbell are presented with The Josh Gilbert Memorial Trophy by Anita & Howard Gilbert at the Annual Club Dinner

The cricket season is just around the corner and there’s a real buzz building around the club. With a mix of heartfelt moments, exciting fixtures and some pre-season fun lined up, here’s everything you need to know this month:

Club Dinner Honours: Celebrating the Campbells
At our annual club dinner on Friday 28th March, we were proud to present Ned and Tara Campbell with the Josh Gilbert Memorial Trophy, awarded for the most significant non-playing contribution to the club.

This trophy is named in memory of Josh Gilbert – a man who, though never the best cricketer on the team, was always the first to lend a hand off the pitch and gave absolutely everything on it. The award recognises those who embody that same spirit of selfless dedication to the club, and few exemplify that better than Ned and Tara.

Ned, our long-serving club treasurer, has completely transformed the way the club manages its finances. Over the past decade, he’s taken us from a cash box behind the bar with scribbled IOUs to a fully digital, cashless payment system. That shift has given the club a solid financial footing, enabling us to invest in better facilities and equipment.

But Ned’s contribution doesn’t stop there. As 2nd XI captain and a junior coach, he’s also played a key role in developing the next generation of players.

Tara, meanwhile, has been just as influential. As the club’s Safeguarding Lead, she ensures our junior section remains a safe, welcoming place for young players. She’s helped grow the section into one of the strongest in the county, with her post-match catering for junior games fast becoming legendary. Together, Ned and Tara have also poured incredible energy into organising social events – from race nights to the recent poker evening – raising vital funds and bringing the club community together.

Oh, and did we mention? They’re husband and wife – a true team effort on and off the field.

Fixtures, Training & Info Night – Season Prep Is On
The adult season kicks off on Saturday 19th April, with both sides starting away from home:

• The 1st XI travel to Little Bardfield
• The 2nd XI, newly promoted, begin their Division 8 campaign at Woolpit

To get match-ready, adult training sessions are taking place every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm, with nets open from 5pm for those keen to get in some extra reps. After training, the bar will be open, giving players and supporters the chance to sharpen their off-field skills too!

We’re also holding a pre-season info evening for all adult players on Thursday 17th April. We’ll be sharing plans for the season ahead and taking headshots for social media – make sure you’re there to be in the loop and look your best online.

You can find the full list of fixtures for all teams here:
https://wlwcc.play-cricket.com/Matches?tab=Fixture

Junior Cricket – All Stars, Dynamos & Hardball Training
We’re excited to welcome back our All Stars (ages 5–8) and Dynamos (ages 8–11) cricket sessions, which start on Friday 9th May at 6pm. These sessions are a brilliant way for younger players to discover cricket, build confidence and make new friends. All equipment is provided, and the focus is on fun, teamwork and learning.

For our older juniors, Hardball training gets underway a little earlier, on Friday 25th April at 6pm. It’s a great opportunity to sharpen skills and get ready for competitive matches.

As ever, the bar will be open on Friday nights, and there’ll be live music after the junior sessions to round off the evening – a proper club night for the whole family.

Oli’s Marathon for a Meaningful Cause
Last but by no means least – our 1st XI captain Oli Jackson is swapping the crease for the capital as he takes on the London Marathon this month, raising money for Bliss, a charity supporting babies born premature or sick.

Oli leads by example on the pitch, and we’re proud to see him pushing himself for such a worthy cause.
If you’d like to support him, donations can be made by clicking here
Go well, skipper – we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!