Chairman's Message

I am delighted to be able to say that as we approach the start of the season it looks like the COVID-19 pandemic is well and truly behind us. The challenge of getting through the pandemic has taught us many different things depending on our age, our type of work and personal circumstances. One thing it has taught me is how precious and important our community amateur sports clubs such as North Devon CC are; how valuable to all of us simply being involved in our local club is, whether it is playing, watching, scoring, umpiring, training, supporting as a patron, being behind the bar or providing the teas. When the pandemic took these simple pleasures away, we realised just how much a part of our lives it is, so it’s great to be back looking forward to a full season of cricket.

Congratulations to Jan Witheridge, Lauren Bowden and the whole North Devon Tarka Ladies team as they became Devon champions again – winning for the second time in the 5 seasons that the Devon Women’s Cricket League has existed, and having always finished in the top 2, an exceptional achievement. Jan and Lauren are always looking for new members to join the squad, so please do get in contact with either of them, or come to Tarka Ladies training on a Thursday evening at the club.

2021 was also a success for the men’s teams with the Saturday 1st XI bring promoted back to the Premier Division of the Devon League, the Sunday XI winning the North Devon League and the Saturday 3rd XI gaining promotion to E Division East.

Following the cancellation of the patrons’ lunch both of the last 2 years due to the pandemic, this year all our kind patrons will be invited to a free of charge luncheon in the pavilion on Saturday 28th May for the 1st XI Devon Premier League fixture v Cornwood, in addition to the usual patrons’ luncheon which will take place on Sunday 6th August.

We are also most grateful to all our sponsors – this year sponsors’ day will be on Saturday 23rd July for the 1st XI fixture vs Sandford.

In total last year we raised over £3,000 in our Century Challenge for Devon Mind, a great idea inspired by club captain Tom Popham. Thank you all for your efforts and generosity (particular mention to successfully completed Century Challenges – Kyle Verreynne for his brilliant maiden Test hundred for South Africa v New Zealand in February and 85-year-old patron Nick Ansell who completed his century of one hour walks in 2021 in early December).

The club’s success is based on the incredible hard work of a fairly small group of volunteers who give up an enormous amount of their time. The more people there are in this group, the more enjoyable it is for those involved and the better it is for the health of the club. So, if you would like to help by taking on a role, however simple (such as umpiring, scoring, coaching or volunteering behind the bar), then please do get in touch with myself, Tony, or another Committee member.

As committee members, our role is to be the guardians of your club and try to make sure we make being part of the club as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. We are doing our best, but if we do get it wrong please do feel able to offer constructive feedback to let us know, and feel able to offer help to put it right.

We wish all teams representing the club the best for a successful season, in particular Tom Popham and the 1st XI now that we are back in the ECB Devon League Premier Division, and I hope you all have a wonderful summer playing or watching cricket.

Mark Ansell, Chairman March 2022

Membership Fees 2022

For clarity – membership entitles members to park at the club on match days, at their own risk.

Players
Cricketers – £80.00
Age Group U16 and Cricketers in Education – £50.00
Age Group U15 - Junior - £40
Tarka Ladies & Girls (Waived if Senior or Junior Member) – £25.00

Non-players
Social Members – £40
Patrons – £50.00
Patrons Partner– £25.00

Please Note
Any Adult or Junior players whose subscriptions are not paid by the 25th April will not be considered for selection in any team until the fee is paid in full.

NDCC welcome new members of any age so please do download the relevant membership form HERE and for Colts please also bring a player profile form HERE or pick up a membership form from the pavilion if you would like to join.

Pay for your membership and complete your player profile form online

You can pay for membership for yourself, your children or partner online by following the link below. If you or your children are playing members of the club you can complete a player profile form at the same time.

Match Fees 2022
Saturday 1st and 2nd DL Games - Cricketers £8.00 & Cricketers in Education £5.00
Saturday 3rd DL Games - Cricketers £5.00 & Cricketers in Education £3.00
Sunday NDL Games Cricketers - £3.00 Cricketers in Education £5.00

Match fees are payable by all players whether or not a meal is consumed

Double Nelson Club Prize Draws 2022
When you submit your membership form you have the option of purchasing tickets for the Double Nelson Club. This is a means of raising funds for the club and issuing prizes to the lucky winners over the summer. The draw is carried out 4 times a year, with three winners each time.

Each Double Nelson ticket costs £6.00.

If you wish to purchase Double Nelson tickets, then please contact Jeremy Thompson on 07773 775 454.

This year the Draw will take place in the Pavilion at 8.00pm on the last Saturday of the month:
28th May: £75 and £50 + Attendance £25
25th June: £75 and £50 + Attendance £25
30th July: £75 and £50 + Attendance £25
27th August: £75 and £50 + Attendance £25

Should the scheduled match on any of the above dates be cancelled then the draw will be postponed and take place on the next Saturday an adult game is played at Instow. Winners will be contacted by Jeremy Thompson via email or phone.

Donations
NDCC is a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) which means it is treated by HMRC as a charity. This means that any donations you make to the club are eligible for Gift Aid. Please complete and sign the attached Gift Aid form and email it to Tony Richards on richards@bideford.net so that we can claim the Gift Aid from HMRC and turn every £10 that you donate into £12.50.

Code of Conduct

North Devon Cricket Club is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct both on and off the field. This Code of Conduct applies to all players, officials and members of the club and any match played under the auspices of North Devon Cricket Club.

All players are asked to read and abide by the following:

Before Play

1. Players must inform a member of the selection committee on or before selection meetings (Monday evenings) if they are unavailable for the following Saturday.
2. Players will be informed by the respective captain of their selection and the required meeting time.
3. Players who become unavailable after teams have been selected must inform the captain of the team for which they have been selected immediately, by phone.
4. Late ‘cry-offs’ (Friday night or Saturday morning) disrupt your team and lower teams and are only acceptable in exceptional circumstances. Players who do not have an acceptable reason for such instances may jeopardise their selection for future games.
5. Players who fail to turn up for a game will be asked to provide an explanation to the selection committee and if this is deemed unacceptable may be subject to suspension or any other sanction deemed appropriate.
6. Practice is held on Wednesday evenings (6.00 pm to 8.30 pm). First Eleven players are expected to attend at least one practice per week. All players improve their chance of selection if they regularly attend practice.

On the Field

1. The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the laws.
2. Players, club officials and members must at all times accept the Umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards the umpire at any time.
3. Players, club officials and members shall not at any time intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player, or a spectator.
4. Players, club officials and members shall not use crude and/or abusive language, make offensive gestures nor deliberately distract an opponent.
5. Players, club officials and members shall not make racial or sectarian comments or indulge in racial or sectarian actions against fellow players, officials, members or supporters. North Devon Cricket Club operates an ‘open door’ membership policy welcoming membership from all sections of the community.
6. Players in teams below the first eleven must take their turn in umpiring, scoring or performing other tasks as instructed by the captain.
7. All players must accept the decisions made by the captain on the pitch without question

Our main club sponsors:
Westerly Barnstaple BMW, Wayfarer Inn and Chichester Homes

Our other generous supporters: