The Hemingford Pavilion Newsletter
As we all battle to recover from lockdown and the ongoing challenges faced by all our members under “the new normal” conditions, I’m delighted to be introducing our first quarterly Pavilion Newsletter.
The Sports Academy’s ambition pre-Covid was to begin and lead the process of developing better communication and partnership between the constituent clubs, with the long-term aim of this newsletter being the representation of EVERY constituent club and a whole site advertising, marketing & events calendar platform.
Having supported both the Cricket and Football clubs in the past it is great to have contributions from both clubs in this test edition and report their success in getting their programs restarted.
It has been superb to see activity returning to the site through the summer, and the huge effort from so many volunteers and members to make that possible. As we enter autumn and winter that progress will again be challenged, so the importance of starting to work better as a collective will be even greater.
The very best of luck to all our constituent clubs as we continue our recovery!
Colin Griggs.
Managing Director – The Sports Academy @ Hunts County SC.
| Junior Squash back up and running at HCSC! It’s great to be back on the squash courts and we’re very happy to have our junior group sessions up and running once again! Despite the current restrictions, we have more sessions running each week than ever before and are seeing lots of new faces at the club. Every session is now being delivered with more coaches on hand, fewer players per court, and cleaning time between different groups to ensure that it’s as safe as possible for all those taking part. Our sessions cater for complete beginners and children under ten, up to elite level juniors who compete nationally, so there is a session suitable for a child of any age or ability. We also have sessions running across various days of the week. Although most sessions are now fully subscribed, we do have limited spaces on our beginner session on Tuesday evenings and are starting a waiting list for an additional after-school beginner group that we will be adding to the program. If you are interested in your child taking part in any of our squash sessions at HCSC, please contact Head Coach, Rob Dadds: Robertdadds@hotmail.com  |
| Hemingford Park Cricket Club Hemingford has a great cricketing history and since Hemingford Park Cricket Club’s foundation in 1891, there have not been many occasions when the game has not been played. Covid tried to beat us this year and curtail the increased interest in cricket generated by the 2019 Cricket World Cup victory (and what a victory that was) but I’m pleased that it failed to do so and the sights and sounds of village cricket graced the Pavilion field once more. Preparations for a prospective season continued regardless of whether we would be playing and many unsung heroes put the long hours in to ensure that both the Junior section and Senior 1st XI had the use of a playable and safe wicket. Once we were given the green light by the ECB to commence, it was full steam ahead with training and competitions and although it was short, our teams shone at all levels. Our 1st XI has swelled in numbers due to additions from a now-defunct Abbots Ripton team and this led to the unusual position of team selection. We were able to field strong teams in a rearranged Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Premier League mini-league and this provided for some very competitive matches. There were great team spirit and some superb batting and bowling performances notably from Julian Hale, Callum Hale, and Mark Fox. Louis Budworth is be congratulated for his tireless and unceasing efforts in ensuring that the matches were able to proceed and for encouraging a great feeling of camaraderie within the squad. The junior section, superbly led by Stu Charles, had the opportunity to take part in training and play matches and although we were not provided with the great sight of large numbers of children thronging across the Pavilion field (due to safety considerations) there was a large number being coached across most nights. A number of new parents and coaching personnel came forward to get involved in training and on the opening week we were swamped as the youngsters were allowed out, likely as a group for the first time and the excitement and enthusiasm were fantastic. Junior tournaments and matches were organised by the coaches and, as ever, with the young players from the Hemingfords and other local villages that we attract players from, we achieved some great results. The pool of talent that we have within the Club is exceptional and it’s important that we continue to provide an environment for children of all abilities to enjoy a team sport. My takeaway from this challenging year is the resolve, dedication, and humor of those who have supported Cricket and ensured its success and growth – the players, young and old, the parents, the volunteer coaches and ‘ground staff’, the Pavilion Trustees for their continued support, the Pavilion staff and those who have ensured the facilities and field are safe to use and the Sports Academy for its continuing input to support cricket in the villages. To next season, the base of cricket in the village is strong and we are always encouraging more to join so us so if you would like to take part please drop us a line at hemingfordparkcricketclub@gmail.com and we’ll include you on our communications or find us at https://www.facebook.com/HemingfordParkCricketClub/Tim ChambersChair HPCC |
 |
HPCC Junior Cricket HPCC juniors had a brilliant and successful 6 weeks of cricket despite starting very late due to COVID. Over 70 children from Hemingford signed up, incredible given the size of our village, and it was the perfect outlet for children coming out of lockdown who was once again able to have fun with their friends in a safe environment. Tim yet again did a magnificent job with the All-Stars (U7s), despite over twice the number he expected turning up. Paul, Keelan, and Kate took on the U9s who played some great cricket with some genuine superstars amongst them. Stuart and Dave introduced the U11s to hardball and despite the absence of an U13s team manager, we managed to recruit Mike from Aspired Coaching just in time to ensure we got a team out. We have around 8 boys and girls playing for Hunts County with the same again nominated for trials next year which shows just how much talent and potential we have come through. The biggest challenge for the junior section next year is to recruit team managers for the U13s and U15s age groups next summer, so please volunteer if you can. The senior team has offered to help coach these age groups and provide an outlet for playing men’s cricket so all we need is someone who can organise; no cricket experience required! Stuart Charles HPCC Youth Team Coordinator www.hpcc.co.uk |
 |
HUFC Update The 2019/20 season ended abruptly for all three of our teams in March 2020 as did all sport and social activities due to Covid 19. Therefore our teams were delighted to start the new 2020/21 season in August this year, things are currently very different though with all Football clubs following the FAs guidance for grassroots football and asking that players attend matches already changed to prevent the use of changing facilities. Our 1st team managed by Cameron Anderson who plays in the Cambs Kershaw Premier League has had a good start to the season winning 2 of the 3 games of the season, they have a strong squad and are confident of a successful season. The Reserve team managed by Tom Whybourn play in the Cambs Kershaw Junior 1B, they have also had a good start winning 2 of the 4 games they have played, they hope to build on last year’s cup final appearance and a third-place finish. Our A team has a new manager in James Janvier who has assembled a new strong squad, they have made an excellent start to the season with 2 wins from 2 games paying in the Cambs Kershaw Junior 4C league, hopefully, they can continue this form and have a successful season. All our three senior teams play at the Hemingford Pavilion on Saturday afternoons, on Saturday mornings two Colts teams play on our Junior Pitch providing hopefully players for the future of the Senior teams. Sunday Mornings sees the Vets team managed by Neil King grace the Pavilion. It is fantastic that football and sport have returned to the Pavilion and we look forward to hopefully completing the current season this year. John Hughes HUFC Chairman. |