HNNL August 2003 page 4
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August 2003
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Series 28 No 4
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Sports and Social
HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT
AT LAST! The final arrangements are being made to see work start on site. Indeed, it is possible that when reading this article work will actually have started.
We have (mid July) received confirmation that our grant application meets the new business objectives of Sport England and that an award of £410,809 is earmarked subject to submitting final project detail and finalising arrangements with them. This will support grants of £85,000 from Cherwell District Council and £30,000 from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts, as well as a number of smaller grants and donations.
It has been important to try and keep progress moving forward with the project over several frustrating and often difficult months of negotiation and development. Real progress has been made since the appointment of a village based Project Manager that followed a competitive tendering process. This means the Project now has a professional person, able to devote time to putting the project plan together and establishing contract arrangements for the various site works. A Design Team has also been established to support this work.
Phase One will see the construction of 3 new astro turf tennis courts, a new natural turf football pitch and a Multi Use Games Area. Subject to satisfactory progress and fair weather, it is anticipated that this work will be completed by the end of the year.
The Sports and Social Club would like to apologies to all members for any inconvenience during construction works but hope that we can secure your understanding so that the works can be completed swiftly and to budget.
It is important to emphasise health and safety considerations whilst work is taking place. A full assessment of risks is being undertaken and measures will be put in place whist work is in progress. Parents are asked to reinforce with their children that some areas normally accessible will be out of bounds during construction. Please could all parents help in ensuring their children are aware of the possible dangers on building sites. Further information will be circulated on village notice boards and through press releases and information in the library as the final project plans unfold.
Consideration is also being given to Phase Two. This is for the construction of a new pavilion that will be finalised over coming weeks. It has not been possible to plan phase one and two together due to delay in funding decisions.
Plans for the pavilion have changed since the March 2002 public meeting. A smaller facility is likely to result as construction costs put the original design, now costed at £800,000, well outside the club's budget. Our plans still include new changing rooms and social facilities. The design will allow for possible addition at a later date.
Additional funding has been secured from National Westminster Bank and new applications have been submitted to secure further grants to support the facility developments. Village fund-raising will recommence shortly and new schemes rolled out. This is your opportunity to help bring marvellous new facilities to the village that will last for future generations.
Further details on the project are available in the Library file.
The Project Committee are also following closely the Senior Football Clubs appeal process in connection with floodlights and spectator facilities for the football pitch.
For further information; Rebecca Watts, Ric Wilkinson, Paul White, Mike Barlow, Tim Lunel, Di Spitzley, Paul Pickering, Derek Brotherston, Colin Scarrett, Duncan Collins, Steve Maule, Sheena Maule, Lillian Carpenter, Sarah Williams.
Hook Norton Sports and Social Club
HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
As the height of the 'leather on willow' season is now being reached, it's time, once more, to focus on the approach of the new season for 'the beautiful game' and I, for one, can't wait for the arrival of Saturday 16th August, being the opening day of the Hellenic League programme. Just to remind you, our First Team will be entering its second season in the League's Premier Division, whilst the Second Team, for the third consecutive season, will be competing in Division 2 (West) of the same League's Reserve Section. We surely have much to look forward to and to be optimistic about given the successes of both teams in recent seasons? Indeed, these successes have led to each team now competing at the highest level ever in the Club's 100 years' plus existence. As a result, it has gained not only local recognition but also a degree of national notoriety for its achievements that have surely enhanced the reputation of the Village as a whole, not to mention that of our already well known Brewery who, together with other local businesses and individuals, have always provided a welcome backbone of support to the Club.
Following the terrific work of Dave 'Rizzy' Risato over the past two phenomenal seasons, John 'Evo' Evans takes over the reins of the First Team with the help of Assistant, Matt Haycocks. 'Evo' and Matt are, of course, no strangers to us and I am sure you would all want to join me in wishing them and the rest of their staff and players all the very best of luck and success in the forthcoming season when the Team will seek to consolidate its position, even more, at its present esteemed level. Furthermore, Adrian White, with his sister Louisa again wielding her 'magic sponge', will once more be at the helm of the Second Team who will be seeking to build on last season's experience and success by going in search of championship honours in the new campaign, as well as providing invaluable back up to the First Team. It's too early to give you any news about players staying, arriving or departing but it's comforting to know that Hooky enjoy an enviable reputation among local clubs at this level of football for being a good club to play for, not least because it is prepared to give opportunities to up and coming local talent. So, come on you young players from the Village and around, you surely have a target to aim for!
At the time of writing, the fixtures have yet to be published but, whoever our first opponents are and at whatever venue we meet them, the prospect of the encounter is simply 'mouth watering' and the outcome, hopefully, will be rewarding! Once again, the absence of floodlights and suitable spectator accommodation at The Bourne necessitates that all our First Team home matches will be played at Banbury United's Spencer Stadium for, at least, one more season. Like all football lovers in the area and many other people in and around the Village, whether or not they share our passion for 'the beautiful game', I sincerely hope that it will not be long before justice, fairness and common sense emerge to allow First Team football to return, at its existing level, to where it surely belongs: The Bourne at Hook Norton! The excellence of the playing surface at this Village location bears testimony to the hard work and expertise of Groundsman, Neville Pearce and deserves to be appreciated by a wider audience than that which presently watches our Second Team home matches and those of Banbury United Reserves. These are, of course, my own personal views and are not necessarily those of the Club itself! See you all soon.
Geoff 'Jesse' James
HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
The First XI has had a varied season to date winning 4 and losing 4, two of them very narrowly. Simon Richards has been the outstanding batsman with just under 500 runs including 2 centuries. The Second XI has had its heady moments; at one stage being top of its Division after bowling out Oxford Rescue for only 21. Several Second Xl 15 & 16 year olds have played for the First Xl and their experience at the higher level has helped to form the backbone of the Second Xl who only in their second season is performing extremely well.
In the Mid Week League we are now 3rd - the outstanding performance being Dickie Knight's 98 not out against Banbury.
Sunday Friendlies, in which a high proportion of young players take part, show the benefit of coaching and we are now beating sides that regularly beat us in the past. A highlight was against a touring team where we came to within 4 of the record score for any side against them (267)
Junior Cricket with over 100 members including 23 girls is booming. The Under 10's won the Charlbury Kwik Kricket Competition for the second successive year and the Under 11's, Under 13's and the Under 17's all play in local leagues. The girls have their own team and also play in mixed matches. William Fletcher, Harry Smith and Danny White have been selected as Junior County players. Hook Norton has been asked to stage a match between the County and Northants Under 12's on August 1st . Each Thursday on average 35 boys and 25 girls aged 5 to 9 have had coaching from qualified coaches. Because of demand we now have 14 Senior Players and Parents who have passed various levels in the County Coaching courses.
2003 will be a busy season — we have 76 fixtures as well as 25 for Juniors only.
Contacts Melvyn Riley 1st XI, Keith Pashley 2nd Xl, Jonathan Leader Mid Week,
Paul & Jackie White Sunday Friendlies & Juniors
HOOK NORTON JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
Last season finished on a high for all boys and girls in Hook Norton Junior Football Club, at our annual Awards Nights.
Two separate events were held in May, at the Primary School, to accommodate all our players and their parents.
Each player received an Award and each team nominated five players for individual awards for their performances throughout the season.
127 boys and girls had been involved, representing Hook Norton, in over 150 games throughout the season.
The highlights of the season included our Under 11 team winning the Witney & District B League and also our Under 15 team finishing runners-up in their B League but all enjoyed playing their football through the season and are raring to go again as we look forward to next season now!
We have a thriving Minis section for boys and girls aged 6 or 7 and we will also be running teams in the Witney & District League next season at Under 8 / 9 / 10 / 12 / 14 age groups, plus an Under 16 team who will play in the Oxfordshire FA Invitation League, along with teams out of the Oxford Mail League from last season.
Our younger members in "Mini Soccer" play on Saturday mornings, whilst Under 12 and above teams play on Sunday afternoons. There are also mid-week training sessions for each team.
The new season starts on Saturday 6th September and we are signing up players now!
In particular, we are looking for players for our Under 12's team next season, which need boys aged 10 or 11 by 31st August 2003. If anyone is interested in playing junior football, please contact me directly in the first instance.
You can also find out how our teams are faring on-line at www.hnjfc.co.uk
We are hoping to improve our website this season with the addition of team photos and match reports!
If any parents would also like to get involved in either Coaching or Refereeing there are opportunities to go on training courses and help with most of our teams.
Thanks to all involved with the Club for their enthusiastic support and good luck to all teams next season. Come on Hooky!
Jonathan Thompson (HNJFC Secretary)