HNNL December 2001 page 4

THE

HOOK NORTON

NEWSLETTER

December 2001 Series 26 No 6

Page 4


   

ON THIS PAGE
A GOLDEN JUBILEE WEEKEND
HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
CRICKET CLUB SECOND XI





HOOK NORTON SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB
ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
A GOLDEN JUBILEE WEEKEND

AT THE SPORTS CLUB

FRIDAY 31ST MAY 2002 - FASHION SHOW
CONTACT: SHEENA MAULE OR JILL DELLER

SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2002 - A GOLDEN JUBILEE BALL
(Black Tie and Evening Dress)
CHARITY RAFFLE IN AID OF THE LAWRENCE HOME NURSING TEAM
OTHER PROCEEDS TO
HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB FUNDRAISING
CONTACT: MIKE BATTLEY OR SHEENA MAULE

SUNDAY 2ND JUNE 2002 - CHILDREN'S FUN DAY
CONTACT: COLETTE WARNER OR KERRIE FISHER



HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
The Project Committee of the Sports and Social Club is delighted to be able to announce that that our Lottery Application to SportEngland has achieved first stage approval.
Our application was for a sum in excess of £400,000 and we now move on to the second stage which involves the drawing up of an action plan. We are then required to fulfil this action plan. We are confident that we will be able to do so to SportEngland`s satisfaction, and their Lottery Panel will then consider approving an award. The committee will be making strenuous efforts to ensure that the desired result is achieved.
This is not the end of the fundraising effort: we still need to raise more money to achieve the target figure, and we feel sure that the recognition by SportEngland of the validity of our project will encourage those of you who have wondered, understandably, whether anything was ever going to happen to support the cause.
Please contact Mike Barlow or Chris Rothwell for more information.


HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
With the half way stage of the current season fast approaching, the First Team remains proudly and deservedly at the top of Division 1 (West) of the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League. Whether this 'dream' start to life on the first rung of the Non League Football Pyramid is sustained up until 'the time of reckoning', sometime in mid or late April next year, remains to be seen but whatever the outcome, Hooky has certainly 'hit the ground running' in its elevated football environment and can justifiably look to the future with considerable confidence. Thirteen games played so far, ten of them won, with three draws (and of course, no defeats) is a wonderful testament to the achievements of Manager Dave 'Tomato' Risato and all his players and the backroom staff. Well done lads; you have already given us much excitement and plenty to talk about and have helped to put Hooky on the map for the first time for football followers from as far afield as Bristol and the Forest of Dean. Long may it continue!
Mention should also be made of the achievements of the Second Team which, under the guidance of Keith 'Wizzy' Wise and Adrian White, is very much holding its own in Division 2 (West) of the same League's Reserves Section. All of the Team's matches have been very competitive and with a just a little more luck on their side, the Seconds could have expected to be somewhere near the top of the table rather than midway. Running a Second Team is never easy when the availability of players is constantly changing, not least because of First Team demands. Keep up the good work Wizzy and Adrian; your efforts and dedication and that of your players, like those who have played for the First Team are much appreciated by all who support this Club.
As I indicated in my last Newsletter article, the Club's elevated status in playing terms has created and is still creating ever increasing demands on those of us who have to stage the games and organise the teams, remembering at all times to abide by strict rules imposed by the League, especially in relation to the provision of facilities for the players of both sides, for the match officials and of course the spectators. Whilst the arrangements for the First team games are now pretty well tuned, the Club however still struggles to find sufficient helpers to cope with the demands of at home Second Team matches. We would be ever so grateful therefore, if say, two additional helpers could be found to assist behind the bar and with provision of refreshments for the players, for about two hours at second team home matches. The Club is prepared to pay for such assistance in order to obtain regular and reliable back-up for our other hard pressed staff. Anyone interested is requested to please contact Secretary Dave McFarlane as soon as possible.
Finally, returning to the success so far of the First Team and the not so unlikely prospect that promotion may be achieved, the Committee is having to consider already how the Club may best be able to fulfil the requirements of the League's Premier Division which, 'inter alia' demand that floodlighting, covered stands and hard perimeter standing should exist at all grounds. Whilst the Committee may reasonably expect that such arrangements could be in place at Hooky, subject to planning approval and the availability of sufficient finance, for the Season 2003/04, it is obvious that the necessary work cannot be carried out at the village location in time for next season. Accordingly, if the Club is not to forfeit a possible promotion opportunity, it has little choice other than to consider finding a suitable ground outside the village, hopefully not too far away, until such time (presumably the following season) that the village ground may reach the approved standard. If and/or when this happens, the Club will ask for the continued support and understanding of the village and its supporters, please.
Geoff 'Jesse' James


CRICKET CLUB SECOND XI
You might well have picked up in the last newsletter that the cricket club was considering the setting up of a second team at their AGM in September and from this, I am both delighted and excited to report that such was the level of interest, that we will be entering a second team into Oxfordshire league for the 2002-3 season.
The cricket club, through its management, facilities and standard of play, is fast developing an enviable reputation within the Oxfordshire and local leagues. The first team have more than held their own following promotion to the first division. The junior team, benefiting from formal and enthusiastic coaching, have grown in numbers and enjoyed considerable success in their respective leagues, the midweek team finished high up in the league and reached the semi-final of their respective cup while the Sunday team, although not perhaps winning as many games as they should, fulfilled an ever growing fixture list.
There is a practical need to establish a second team, both to provide for competitive cricket for those of us not quite up to the demands of regular first team cricket but, primarily, to offer support to the first team and provide an opportunity for the juniors to play in and gain valuable experience of senior league cricket. When all is said and done, the way in which the juniors are developing, several of them will undoubtedly be knocking on Tim's door in a couple of season's time!
There are squads of players to cover all of the teams for 2002-2003 but of course, we are always keen to have more players, indeed, this is something that the second team desperately want to encourage.
We are also looking for one or more UMPIRES that can help with our obligation to provide an umpire for each league side. For an enjoyable afternoon in the sun (yes, sun is guaranteed for the 2002 season!), that would be of great help to the club and put £17 per game in your pocket towards an evening drink …. please contact Tim Lunel.
We will be starting indoor net practice from February next year and, in the meantime, if you are interested, primarily in playing second team cricket next season, please call me, Keith Pashley or if umpiring any of the other teams is of interest, then Tim Lunel is your man.
Keith & Tim