Ross-on-Wye Cricket Club has a long and proud tradition of encouraging and developing young players. This year is no exception and the first team has a mixture of young and more experienced players.

However, cricket clubs in the county are all suffering from a similar situation, resulting in the cancellation of fixtures and the whole Herefordshire junior league at these age groups is under threat.

A spokesperson for Ross Cricket Club told the Ross Gazette:?“Having gone through the reorganisation of league status, training schedules and coaching systems, Ross-on-Wye CC had hoped to see those young players already in the club continue their interest in the game.”

In recent seasons Ross CC has been very successful at all age groups in both Herefordshire and Leadon Vale leagues and various cup competitions, having won the County U15 cup last year. This was a feat, repeating the success of the under 15 side of six years ago, a side that won pretty much everything they played in as Under 13s and then Under 15s.

The All Stars initiative, which is happening in Ross later this month, (see Ross CC and ECB websites for more details) is for five to eight year olds, who will hopefully go on to become Under 11s and 13s.

The Club, though, is wondering where these players are now. The spokesperson said they have considered whether the club is providing the right facilities and atmosphere. They have also changed training from a Wednesday evening to a Friday, to help those youngsters with school commitments.

The spokesperson added that in other parts of the country, in clubs that share facilities with football, rugby and other sports, the seasons are strictly controlled, with a defined cut off date for the winter sports and the beginning of the cricket season, similarly reflected at the end of the cricket season.

The spokesperson said:?“Ross Junior Football has built up a fantastic membership base, but the football season now seems to continue for most of the year, so the question is whether the season should be compulsorily ended, so that only cricket may be played at the Park through the summer.”

If you would like to find out what is happening at your local club visit rossonwye.play-cricket.com