Part of the re-accreditation process involved re-visiting the Club’s objectives, reflecting on what we already do very well but also looking at areas where we could improve.

A Club mission statement was developed to capture what type of club we want to be in future: “To advance the game of cricket through sportsmanship, leadership, discipline, mutual respect and enjoyment and have teams of predominantly home grown, local and unpaid players capable of being competitive in their leagues”

Objectives have been agreed aimed at making our club even better over the next 5 to 10 years:

1. Maintain Premier League Status for both ladies and men.
2. Ensure a clear pathway for all teams to be a feeder for higher teams.
3. Establish a second ladies side of mainly home grown and local players.
4. Provide the best possible facilities to attract and retain players.
5. To deliver an excellent junior coaching structure for both girls and boys in order for them
to progress to senior cricket.
6. Communicate success and achievement openly to members and the local community.
7. To be committed to the ECB Inclusions and Diversity Strategy.

Each objective has a “who, “when” and “how” and an individual identified to lead the actions but it is also vitally important that everyone at the Club works together, supporting the Committee’s efforts.

Driving participant growth (all ages), success on the field and increasing our social events will make our Club much more enjoyable for all our members. This also fits with our ambition is to be seen as one of the leading clubs in the Hertfordshire and a playing force within cricket.

The good news is that work has already started!

A facilities plan is being developed looking at upgrading our pavilions over the comings years and this builds on the significant ground work undertaken on the playing surfaces last autumn. This work will ensure our ground remains one of the best, if not the best, ground in Hertfordshire. A refreshed junior coaching structure/programme has been introduced with different philosophies for each age group including the introduction of the nationally acclaimed All Stars cricket aimed at 5 to 8 year olds.

A fresh look at communications has started and a club ‘Instagram’ account has been opened
(bishopsstortfordcc), to sit alongside our existing Twitter account which will improve our social media presence. Given good content this should add to the vibrant feel of the Club and provide increased information to both club members and the wider cricket community.

Again we ask all Club members to work with the Club committee, support these objectives and help make BSCC an even better cricket club for the future.

If you would like to get involved with our plans then please contact Club Chairman, Graeme Sumner (07768 368773)

Thank you in advance for your support in our aim to become the leading club in Hertfordshire!

Colin Chatfield