It's happening - our new Junior Cricket section is a GO!

Our first-ever junior softball teams will begin Sunday morning indoor training from January 28th 2024, ahead of an action-packed summer season. From May to the end of August, they will play league games in the AJ Sports Surrey Junior Cricket Championship as well as organised friendlies - and maybe a festival or two as well. Fixtures will be released by the end of December.

This is a long-term plan that is the natural next step up from our very successful All Stars program, designed to see "home-grown" players in our hardball weekend teams in years to come. They become members from as young as the age of seven, and make Merton CC their club as they become young adults and beyond. The club evolves in an organic way, and even more of a family atmosphere will be created for all to enjoy. We also cement our place as a community club, and become a beacon for all that is good and inclusive within Surrey cricket.

There will be no need for the juniors to be brilliant, and beginners are welcome at softball level - coaching comes later when hardball cricket starts, which we feel will be under 11’s in line with most other local clubs. No pressure, no trials, no playing for a place - just enthusiasm and enjoyment, first and last.

We are recruiting players right now, so if you know of anyone who has a young person aged between 7 and 9, let them know about us and pass on the flyer image above. We also recognise that cricket can be an expensive sport, even indoor training, and so we have created the following package for just £100:-

10 indoor sessions, beginning on Sunday, January 28th 2024

A full season of summer matches, guaranteeing a minimum of ten games

Full Merton CC Junior Membership for 2024

A personalised Merton CC match shirt

A Merton CC cap

There is also the option to pay in two 50 instalments either side of Christmas. It all adds up to an exciting 2024, and an exciting future for the club! If you would like to get involved or get more information, or you know someone who does, email mertonccjuniors@gmail.com for sign up details!

Winter Nets The New Year will soon be upon us, and so will be the desire to shake off the rust! The first fixtures of 2024 have already been organised, and you know it won't be long until April begins.

Your winter nets commence on Saturday, January 13th 2024. They are based once again at Wimbledon College Sports Hall in our usual time slot of 10am until 12pm. The booking of places will be done via the Spond app, so make sure you've downloaded it!

2023 members train for free; all others will pay 5 per session or 3 for under 16’s. There'll be more details nearer the time, but do save the date!

AGM

The date has been set for the most important meeting of the year - the club's Annual General Meeting. On Saturday, February 3rd 2024, the Committee will be dissolved and a new one formed - including all team captains and officials. It's also your chance to have your say and apply for a Committee role, and in the lead-up to the evening you'll be emailed a complete list of roles and their responsibilities. Full members can vote on the various key issues that will be discussed and decided throughout the evening, as we look to shape the club for the coming year. It is also your chance to have your say.

There will be an invite created on Spond for you to reply to, so do look out for it!

Bits and Bobs

It is looking increasingly likely that a Saturday 5th XI League team will join our pantheon of teams in 2024. Nothing has, as yet, been fully decided - but we have requested for it to be added to a League, so watch this space. There was clamour in 2023 for this to happen, so fingers crossed!

The three main Leagues in Surrey - the Surrey Championship, County League and Cricket League - have opened consultations to merge and form one pyramid league to go live from 2025. There would be three groupings - East, West and Central - and at least four tiers. This follows the Player Survey that a lot of you (and over 4,000 players responded to across the county) responded to, and one of the key concerns was excessive travel to games. This restructure is designed to cut that down, so unless you climb the pyramid to the top tier - the very cream of Surrey Championship cricket - teams will not be having to travel to places near Heathrow and Gatwick.

More details will emerge over the coming months, and we will endeavour to keep you informed.

That's all for now - stay tuned for more news in due course, and winter well!