Background on Barnards Green Cricket Club

Introduction

Founded in 1934, Barnards Green Cricket Club is now a leading community cricket club which has been designated a focus club by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to be a hub of the community network for cricket development.

The Club has achieved ClubMark Accreditation through demonstrating that best practices are in-place to develop and deliver high quality community cricket in a safe, effective and child-friendly way.

Barnards Green Cricket Club is supervised by an Executive Committee consisting of six elected and voluntary Members who have been involved with the club for many years. We are supported by many active volunteers.

In 2014 Barnards Green CC will compete in Division One of the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League, just one level below the highest standard available to amateur cricketers. This league draws the best performing clubs from the counties of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and The West Midlands.

This represents remarkable progress in recent years as the club’s 1st XI has experienced six promotions in the last nine seasons.

The club’s development has been based on co-operation, the pursuit of excellence and a community ethos which makes good use of dedicated volunteers to help ensure the structure is in place to facilitate on field success

Playing Facilities

The Club rents its North End Lane ground located near the centre of the town in the foot of the picturesque Malvern Hills. Facilities include a ten-pitch square, together with 3 non-turf and 1 grass practice pitch, a LED scoreboard with a score-box adjoining the pavilion.

Our Newland ground has a six-pitch square, together with non-turf pitch, a pavilion and machinery store.

The Club hosts around 90 senior and 60 youth matches each season which also involves around 2000 visiting players as well as club members. The club’s facilities are second to none and we are in constant demand to host representative games at County and regional level. We were honoured to be chosen to host England Blind Team v India Blind Team in 2010 and the Australian Women’s team for a training session during their Ashes tour of England.

Cricket practice and playing is provided for both men and women, and both boys and girls. From Under 9 to seniors, there is a full fixture list of competitive league, cup and friendly matches to suit all levels of ability. There are 10 age-group youth squads for boys and girls and 8 at senior level.

Hospitality

The club also has quality facilities available in the form of meeting rooms, catering, social and bar facilities. There is also ample car parking. The clubhouse is open as a social club every day and hosts local crib, skittles and darts teams and an angling club.

It is also well used by the local community as a function venue hosting birthdays, christening and wedding parties and musical events. We also organise events for local elderly residents.

League Progress

From its inception in 1934 ‘The Green’ has provided cricketing opportunities for the people of Malvern and has developed a genuine cricketing pedigree which now sees it competing at a very high level.

Having played friendly cricket, the club moved into league cricket in the 1980s and has progressed through the Europcar League, the Border League, the Worcestershire County League and now the Birmingham League. We are also long established members of the Worcestershire Sunday League and the Worcester Evening League.

We regularly welcome both local and visiting cricketers and supporters from across Worcestershire and the West Midlands

International Connections

Through this development period the club has been fortunate to be instrumental in helping the progress of a number of international cricketers who have subsequently risen to the top of their profession.

The former Worcestershire and England opening batsman Tim Curtis played his early cricket at the Green and went on to represent county and country with great success. His son Andrew is joining us later this season.

Daniel Flynn was selected for New Zealand following a season with us. He played in the Test series over here four years ago. It is highly likely that he will also be with the Kiwis when they tour here in 2013.

Our overseas player in 2010, talented young West Indian Andre Russell, honed his skills helping us to win the Worcestershire Premier Division. He has since become one of the most sought after players in the IPL, and has played for West Indies in all formats of the game.

Coaching excellence

Cricketers of all abilities are encouraged to realise their personal potential and to contribute to team success. All players have access to professional coaching from a team of twenty-six ECB-qualified coaches (levels 1, 2 and 3). From 5 years old, children learn to play and enjoy the game with softball Kwik cricket.

High quality youth development ensures that many young cricketers play in senior cricket. A coaching and learning programme helps the more skilled and dedicated young player.

Many young cricketers now play at district and county level, with some included in the Worcestershire Academy and ECB Regional Squad, and some at international level.

Georgia Hennessy has represented Worcestershire and Warwickshire and is a regular member of England U19s and Academy squads.

Phillip Harris has represented the Unicorns and played Minor Counties’ cricket for Herefordshire. Phil also spent a successful season playing in Western Australia as a result of contacts made by the club. Phil capped a great 2011 season by being named as Cricketer of the Year by the Midlands Club Cricket Conference.

Updated 16:50 - 11 May 2020 by Kath Wood