‘There’s a real buzz around the club’… Ainsdale celebrate President’s Day

Ainsdale Cricket Club

Ainsdale’s annual President’s Day will celebrate the club’s glorious past and its bright future.

Nobody at the club is counting any chickens about the 1st XI’s position at the top of Division Two. 

But secretary and vice-chairman Mal Swift says things are looking rosy at all levels – including the newly formed women’s and girls’ section.

He said: “The ladies section has been the biggest surprise in a way.

“I know a lot of clubs have had them for years but we just thought we’d give it a go because we’ve got a South African lad playing in the 2nd XI who’s got all his coaching badges.

“And at varying points, we’ve had 30, 35 women and girls just rock up to training. 

“They’re addicted to it. It’s unbelievable.

“It’s just created a different vibe, a different buzz around the club.

“And when you put events on like this, you’re tapping into probably another 60, 70, 80 people who wouldn’t normally come.

“At most clubs, you’re pretty much going to the same well every time you do a fundraiser – if instead of getting 40 people, you get 100 the difference is massive.”

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President’s Day on Sunday will get under way at 10am at the club, with a women’s game at 11am and a men’s 100-ball match at 2pm.

There will also be a quiz set by Ainsdale’s resident marathon man, Alex Rigby, along with a bouncy castle and barbecue.

The club’s current president is former player Lionel Stanyon. A poignant angle to the day will be the absence of his predecessor Ray Fitzpatrick, who died in 2023, just months before the club’s new nets facility opened.

Partly as a result of the new nets, Ainsdale have been able to bring through some talented youngsters in the 2nd and 3rd XIs, spelling good news for the long-term health of the club.

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Swift knows whatever goes on behind the scenes, a club will always be judged on the success of its 1st XI.

Ainsdale’s 1s were in the ECB Premier Division as recently as 2017, but are now into their second season in the third tier.

Top of the table and with a 56-point cushion, that could well be about to end – Swift hailed the good work done by Oli Green in his first year as captain.

“He’s recruited really well,” he said – highlighting new arrivals Jehan and Ichira Yahathugoda, mid-season signings Harry Beddard and Sean Ryan, and the league’s leading wicket taker in returning Sri Lankan pro Dilanka Auwardt.

Swift, 51, added: “There’s some much-needed youth in the side now – it allows me to not play in the 1st XI as much as I used to.

“There’s always things I can grumble about, especially as the groundsman with the lack of rain we’ve had.

“But seriously, it’s all looking good.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/mwp0tUT