HARTLEY Wintney Cricket Club (HWCC) will host a Cricket Week this month to celebrate the sport and also raise funds to support charities.
The annual Cricket Week will run from June 24 to 30 this year.
The events include a ladies festival, charity match, benefit day featuring a testimonial for Hampshire cricketer Chris Wood, and a summer ball.
Founded in 1770, HWCC boasts a unique claim to fame – it's not just one of the oldest clubs in the country, but also the oldest to have continuously played on the same ground throughout its history.
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This rich heritage is a source of immense pride for the club, according to Vice-chairman Andy Ross.
"We're steeped in history," he said, "and fortunate to have one of the most exquisite grounds in the country."
But HWCC isn't just about resting on its laurels. The club is actively fostering the next generation of cricketers.
"We continue to promote as much junior and women's cricket as we can," Andy said.
"There's been a big initiative over the last few years. We now run four Saturday male sides, one Sunday side and two female sides as well, and we have about 270 juniors. We're very fortunate to have a fairly young group of people around us. We've got a great number of people to come in and help us through. It's a great prospect ahead of us. We're very excited about it."
This focus on youth development is echoed by Captain Jonny Kerr.
"The results this season have been challenging," he admitted, "but the future is bright. We have a strong junior section with 14-16 year olds already playing second and first-team cricket, creating a fantastic blend of experience and fresh talent."
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Following is the schedule of Cricket Week:
Sunday, June 23: Ladies Festival - A round-robin tournament featuring local women's teams.
Wednesday, June 26: Charity Match (HWCC XI vs. Kent XI) - A friendly match to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Friday, June 28: Benefit Day (Chris Wood Testimonial Match) - HWCC XI takes on Hampshire CCC. There are a few hospitality tickets available, even for small groups.
Saturday, June 29: Summer Ball - A Night at The Oscars - Get dressed up for an evening of Oscars-themed fun!
For more information, contact Ian Kerr at iankerr18@gmail.com for general enquiries or Olivia Jeffrey at oliviasutherland@hotmail.com for Summer Ball enquiries.
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