On moving to Rowley Lane, we decided to set up a junior section. This has proven extremely successful and we now have over 60 juniors, with more joining all the time. For 2012 we will have a Level 2 trained coach who oversee all their activities, together with several “parent volunteers”. We are also implementing our volunteer coaching programme, and will send 3 volunteers on level 1 ECB coaching.
In 2008, having played friendly matches in 2006 and 2007, we entered the Middlesex Colts Competition for the first time, entering teams in 3 age groups. In 2011, we added an U17s team to the club to provide cricket from the youngest age through to adult level. In 2011 we had our largest and best season yet, and the under 15’s managed to win their division and made it through to the County play offs.
In addition to matches, we run weekly training sessions through the summer at Rowley Lane and this winter we will be using the facilities of Yavneh College in Borehamwood. We work closely with connections at Jewish and non-Jewish schools to ensure there is a steady stream of new recruits.
We are now catering for Juniors between the ages of 7 and 17, and advertise extensively at Synagogues, through mail shots, online and directly to the large football section at London Maccabi Lions. However our most successful recruiting method is verbally with friends bringing friends and school mates on a weekly basis.
This investment in youth is paying off handsomely as we now have sometimes as many as 6 “juniors” in our 2nd team, some of whom have established themselves as regular contributors. From our first “batch” of Juniors back in 2005, we now have 8 who have made it through to the first team squad. In addition to this we are proud to have had 6 members representing GB at the 2005 and 2 players at the 2009 Maccabiah Games.