ACTONIANS COLTS
CLUB HISTORY
Reformed in 1974 by three of the
players, Mike Hart, Peter Barwick and John Walker it started with 15 members
and just one team an U17 side. Practices were held on a Monday evening and
although this was a very successful side playing in the one cup competition it
was soon realised that this was not the best way forward. To compete with other
local Colts sections and to encourage youngsters to join us we needed to start
at a much younger age and also enter the South Area League competitions to get
regular fixtures. So over the next few seasons the age of the membership was
slowly lowered to include under 15’s then 13’s and then 11’s. By now two of the
original helpers had left the area and the remaining one with the assistance of
a regular team of helpers was creating a popular section.
With regular fixtures 4/5 nights a
week it was decided to move practices to Sunday mornings, this immediately was
beneficial as more helpers volunteered and interest in joining increased. It
was then decided to lower the age of entry to under 8’s and start an under 10
side and even include Girls if they were interested. In 1977 we won our first
South Area League title and also our first Area Cup Final and since then we
have had a great record in the South Area winning something almost every
season. Then in 1983 we won our first County Title and our record to date is:-
Under 13’s
One League Title and Cup Winners once
Under 15’s
Cup Winners once
Under
17’s One League Title and Cup winners once
Actonians Colts is now considered one
of the strongest sections in West London with over 150 boys and girls between
the ages of 6 and 17. With the use of six newly refurbished artificial grass
Nets, two Slip cradles, a Portable net and a Bowling machine we are one of the
best equipped clubs for coaching youngsters how to play Cricket. We compete in
League and Cup competitions at under 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 for the boys
and at under 13 and 15 for the Girls. We also try and organise friendlies for
under 9 boys and under 11 girls so everyone can experience playing in a match
during the season.
In 2006 Dukesmead Ladies started to
use our pitch on a Sunday and in 2011 they merged with Old Actonians to form
one of the few clubs that can offer Cricket for both Male and Female members
for as long as they wish. All our older members are encouraged to attend Senior
Nets on a Tuesday evening and last season 15 boys and 7 girls played for the
senior sides.
Every
year we members that represent the County at their respective age groups and
this has included:-
Jason Pooley - Middlesex
and England A
Gregg Pooley -
Derbyshire
David Cox - Durham
Adam Gilchrist - Australia (In 1989
Adam played in our under 17’s that won both the County League and Cup
competitions).
Every year we organise three social
events, a registration evening in March, a mid-season BBQ in July and a Colts
Festival and awards evening at the end of the season, all are well attended and
encourage parents to get involved. Our practices still take place on a Sunday
morning from 10 till 12 and our annual subscription is currently £95 per
player. We are always keen to welcome new members but some age groups fill up
very quickly.
John
Walker
Colts
Manager
2013