Jim sets out five-year plan for success

JIM Kendall has been a busy man since taking over as chairman of Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club recently, setting out a five-year plan to ensure impressive recent progress is maintained on and off the pitch.

He’s leading a drive to extend the main pavilion at The Ridings in order to improve facilities for women and girls as well as disabled players and visitors, along with replacing an aging equipment store and potentially building a two-lane indoor school on the adjacent Jim Cowles ground.

Jim, aged 51, also wants to see teams, from the senior first XI right through to the under-9s, take steps forward out in the middle to continue improving and developing.

He said: “I’m fortunate to be taking over with the club in fantastic shape, thanks to so much hard work by my predecessor Andy Shield.

“It’s important that we build on everything that has been achieved in recent years and continue to be a community club that welcomes everyone.

“Our first XI is, in many ways, our shop window and we were all delighted that the team was last season promoted back to WEPL.

“We now want to see the ‘ones’ consolidate in WEPL and for our 2nds, who play several divisions below, to close that gap and strengthen the pathway for players to progress, with our 3rds and 4ths continuing to be developmental teams.

“We’re lucky to have a strong youth section, with our under-11s, 13s and 15s all enjoying success last year and a tremendous number of players being selected at county and representative levels.

“Our volunteer coaches and parents play important supporting roles, and we’re keen for our junior sides and our women’s and girls teams to make further progress.

“The message is that we are a fully inclusive family club that welcomes players of all ages, abilities and genders.”

Jim’s first cricketing memories at Sodbury revolve around scoring 3rd team matches involving his late father, Jim senior, and making his debut for the under-15s back in 1984.

He added: “These are exciting times to be involved and we can’t wait for the new season to start.”

Sodbury’s first pre-season friendly is away to Marshfield on April 15.

Outdoor nets begin on April 7 for seniors and April 28 for juniors.

Steve Hill

Home fixtures:

April 21: Sway (T20, 5.30pm)

April 22: 2nd XI v Coalpit Heath II (1pm)

April 23: Travellers (1pm).

April 29: Royal Wootton Bassett (12.30pm), 2nd XI v Bristol Pakistanis II (1pm).

April 30: Carsons & Mangotsfield (1pm).