Countdown to the new season

The new season is just around the corner now, and here’s a quick update on one or two changes, some new faces and upcoming events …

NEW IN 2025

As already announced, we have new sponsors this season.  In particular, we are delighted to be partnering with Seymours as our new lead sponsor, as well as Land & Water and Builda.  The new match kit with all three of their logos is now available from the club online shop provided by Masuri – don’t delay in ordering yours!

We are also delighted to be welcoming Varun Garg, our new overseas player from New Zealand, who has just arrived in the UK.  Next week we also welcome back Tim Velstra from Australia who takes over from Simon Mansell as our new 2nd XI captain, as well as Steve Moore, a veteran from Tim’s club in Canberra, who will be playing regularly for us for much of the season.  I know everyone will make them all feel very welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pre-season working party

There will be a pre-season working party at Blackheath tomorrow Sunday 13 April at 10am.  Tasks will include laying turf, getting the nets ready, putting out covers, benches and picnic tables, mowing and general tidying up.  There is a lot to do so please come along if you can.

Junior pre-season training

There are extra outdoor pre-season training sessions for all junior squads next week (Monday 14 to Thursday 17 April) for U8-U15 boys and girls.  Though we appreciate that not everyone will be around, we strongly encourage those who can to come to these sessions.  For dates, times and ticket links, go to the Boys and Girls pages of the website and scroll down to “What’s coming up”.

Start of regular outdoor training sessions for all squads

The first regular outdoor training sessions start in the second week after Easter for the Men, and the following week for everyone else.  All the times and venues are on the website (see the Men, Women, Boys, Girls and Minis pages), but in summary:

• Men train on Wednesday evenings, with the first session on Wednesday 16 April.

• Women and Girls (U8s upwards) train on Thursday evenings, with the first sessions on Thursday 24 April. 

• Minis and the U8-U15 Boys train on Friday evenings, with the first sessions on Friday 25 April.  The Minis and U7-U12 boys train at Blackheath and the U13 boys and U15/14 boys will alternate between Blackheath and Grafham. Friday evenings at Blackheath – look out for further information about arrangements (especially traffic and parking) nearer the time.

First matches of the season

The Men’s fixtures get underway next weekend.  The first match of the season is a home friendly against South Nutfield on Saturday 19 April, with a game against Wonersh on Sunday 20 April.  There are then further friendlies the following weekend against Newdigate on Saturday 26 April and Sutton Green on Sunday 27 April, before the first I’Anson League matches on Saturday 3 May.

For the Women, Boys and Girls squads, matches do not generally begin until in May (although one or two squads have games in late April).  Check out the website for your squad’s first game, though please note that some fixtures may still be subject to change.

As always, please remember to keep your availability up to date on Teamtamer, to ensure that selection for matches can take place without players having to be chased.

AND FINALLY …

There will be further messages over the coming weeks as the season gets underway, many of them asking for volunteer help in one way or another.  Everyone is asked to volunteer for something (or make a modest donation in lieu) when they register, and for the club to function smoothly and keep costs down it is really important that as many members as possible stick their hands up to help when asked.  So please help out when you can. 

I’ll look forward to seeing everyone over the next few weeks.  In the meantime, here’s to another great season!

Nick Harrison

Club Chairman