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A RETIRING CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS
XL YNE vs Sewerby CC
John Heald Photography
H enry Grierson dedicated to us, his successors, a remarkable legacy in Forty Club cricket – a legacy of playing the game to a good standard on some of the most ethereal locations and in a manner
of such high value. It is our privilege to continue his ambitions and now in circumstances unprecedented.
As a starting point this is pitted against the changing/changed perspective of our sport and indeed so many team sports. It is not too long ago that cricket remained high in public perception. This despite the signi cant decline of cricket being played in schools and we embraced the ideology that the Clubs would come to fore in delivering the next generations of cricketers. The truth is that our game has been marginalised with the result that we are witnessing cricket clubs across the country withdrawing from the playing arena.
We, the Forty Club along with many, understand the values of team sport and what it can bring to young persons looking to build experience and con dence in their future roles. An essential component of
engaging with the rising generation is a question of relevance. Every game we play needs to leave a good feeling of achievement to the opposition and for the Forty Club players. It is this perspective that I observe is gradually being adopted successfully in our Club and may I be so bold as to encourage its further evolution. Our arena isn’t one about ultimate competitivity, leagues and egos – it’s about the young cricketer evolving skills of how you build an innings, learning the craft of consistency and sportsmanship in an understanding environment. This is the opportunity to maintain the game in a ever broadening eld with support to not only our traditional opposition of quality cricket-playing schools, but also to be available to eld teams to maintain the sport in a broader perspective.
As we observe the fallout described above and now needing to accommodate the perspective of Coronavirus The Forty Club has, in my perception, an invaluable role to contribute in the maintenance of the game.
Again, in my perception, I see the population re-evaluating ‘what is important’ – values and standards are important and often on a basis of their local environment. Cricket has the ability to provide the base for recreation and mindfulness for all participants. Go forth the Forty Club and help provide a sanctuary in such di cult times.
With all best wishes and ever hoping for a full cricket season in 2021.
Phil Fawkner-Corbett
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