Giving exposure to visiting touring teams: Hornsey Cricket Club (United Kingdom)
By Carolyn Bresh—Hornsey Cricket Club (UK)
The Hornsey Cricket Club has existed since 1870. Based at the Tivoli Road Ground in North West London—with the Club ground being the nearest high-quality ground to the city and West End of London.
[Ed. For a detailed history of the club, please click here]
In 2004, the clubhouse burnt down, but rebuilding of the facility was completed in 2005. The Club now has an excellent bar, kitchen and changing rooms to go with one of the most picturesque grounds in North London.
The Club runs 4 senior teams and is looking to add a 5th team, plus a women’s team for the 2023 season.
The Club Committee met in June 2022 and agreed to reinstate a Junior Cricket Tour in 2023. Such tours were held by the Club in the years prior to COVID-19, but had not been held for some time. The Committee considered that such a tour would drive membership across the Club, and also form a blueprint for future tours, both in the UK and further afield. The aim being to build out a more comprehensive tour programme starting in 2023.
The U14’s were considered to be the most appropriate age group to make an overseas trip viable, and to benefit from this opportunity.
Older children face exam pressures. For younger children, a long trip, without parents in attendance, is difficult. The present U14’s are also a strong age group in terms of player numbers, parental engagement, and performance this season. Our aspiration is that this becomes an annual event for this age group.
Our goal was for a Hornsey Cricket Club Tour in the half term of February 2023 to Cape Town in South Africa.
We were keen that the Tour had a sense of purpose. Undoubtedly, the boys would have a lot of fun. However, we wanted to incorporate a significant element of charitable donation as part of the visit. This included collecting kit and clothing for both the Township visit and to take cricket kit for The Leading Edge cricket development programme.
Click here to visit Hornsey Cricket Club’s website.
The Leading Edge’s Response (in thanks) — from Hilton Toro, Director Operations:
“We would like to thank you for the generous donation of cricket kits to our players. This will go a long way in their cricket development. Going forward, we also look to build a strong relationship with Hornsey Cricket Club in the UK.”
