Actonians Cricket Club

Actonians Cricket Club - Colts History

Actonians Colts History


 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