Dear Martlets
I am delighted to welcome you all to the 2014 Season.
As ever, committee members have been busy over the winter preparing for the forthcoming weeks and I would like to start by thanking them for all their hard work. Although the cricket is only just about to start, the social season and golf are in full swing (so to speak).
We held an extremely successful Club Dinner at the County Ground back in March, where we were entertained by guest speakers Zac Toumazi (CEO, Sussex CCC) and Johnny Barclay. I’m delighted to confirm Johnny’s election to Martlet Vice Presidency in recognition of all the support he gives us at Arundel. We recognised award winners from the 2013 season, Marcus Campopiano (Batting), Michael Murray (Bowling), and Toby Pullan (Junior). John Bettridge fully deserved his Special Contribution Award for the extraordinary work he does with our Juniors, and Stuart Ritchie won Martlet of the Year for a quite considerable amount of heavy lifting getting the Club Administration into proper order.
Martlet Overseas Player of the Year 2014
The Overseas Player of the Year award went to Ashton Turner, and I was able to take advantage of a business trip to present his tankard in Canberra at the Sheffield Shield game in which he was playing for Western Australia against NSW. Justin Langer was on hand to assist with the honours, and spoke heart-warmingly of his own experiences playing at Arundel.
The Martlets had a full table at the Friends of Arundel Castle Spring Lunch and heard David Collier’s views on English cricket. The event recognised the retirement of Alan Wadey as Chairman of the FACCC, and I’d like to place on record my thanks to him on behalf of all the Martlets. Our access to Arundel is a privilege that all members have the opportunity to experience.
We have a full fixture card for 2014 and I’m pleased to welcome back the Eton Ramblers, Free Foresters, and, as stop press news, the Hampshire Hogs. When you check the fixtures at www.sussexmartlets.co.uk you will see that we have completely renewed our website, with a refreshed player and membership database sitting behind it. We are actively seeking sponsors to help us fund this technology investment. If you would like to promote your business, please get in touch with Stuart Ritchie.
Above all, please take the initiative and apply to the match managers for games in which you would like to play. Do not wait to be asked! The match managers carry great responsibility in organisation and conduct – they are the lifeblood of our Club. I’d like thank them in advance for their hard work, and in doing so welcome Tim Dodd to the committee who is going to co-ordinate Match Managers this year.
I wish us all every success on and off the field and look forward to seeing you all as much as possible on the Sussex sward.
Very best regards
John Ashworth