Whilst the winter games rumble on, and Mums and Dads spend their weekends up to their ankles in mud following the exploits of their budding sports stars, local cricketers prepare for the forthcoming season.

Few sports allow each member of the family to become involved as part of the experience of playing a sport. Cricket is uniquely an inclusive family game and Ross Cricket Club, over the years, has enjoyed the input of complete families, be they Mums, Dads, sisters and brothers, all have got involved. It is not unusual to see two, and sometimes three, brothers playing in the same side and you can even see father, sons and daughter turning out in the same team to enjoy an afternoon of sport with the likelihood that the remainder of the family is on the sidelines supporting, officiating, coaching and generally being involved in every aspect of the game.

As touched upon in last week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, cricket universally is experiencing difficulties in reaching out to our younger generations, and it is generally families that introduce their offspring into the game. At Ross Cricket Club, there were occasions last season and in seasons gone by where the club has enjoyed fielding sides inclusive of fathers playing with sons, brothers playing with brothers and fathers playing with daughters in Worcester League Cricket.

Last season, for the first time, Ross Cricket Club introduced a real Family Fun Day which became the Ross Cricket Club Family Fives Tournament, which included everyone mentioned above. It proved to be a great occasion involving Mums, Dads, Uncles and Aunts, brothers and sisters playing with and against each other – just for fun of course!

So, to the new season. Ross Cricket Club will hold their first indoor net practice session of the season at John Kyrle High School tonight from 7pm (Wednesday, February 8th.) It is hoped that Ross will see a resurgence of young and old becoming involved in the game.

Ross Cricket Club welcomes all new players from any walk of life and looks forward to your participation, be it playing, officiating, organising or purely taking in the beauties of The Park – come along and see for yourself.

For more information visit the website: rossonwye.play-cricket.com

To read the full article about Ross Cricket Club, see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.