Thank you to everyone who completed the end of year survey. The club committee has reviewed all the feedback and is happy to share it, as well as the committee’s responses, with the club.
Summary
Twenty-seven people (out of 220 contacted) completed the survey - representatives from the senior, women’s and walking cricket teams. Four parents also completed a separate survey with the same questions that was shared with the Junior membership contacts.
Generally, club members felt the club had done well in most areas this year. The responses here were wide-ranging, but particular areas mentioned were: an improvement in junior players moving through into senior cricket; the women’s and walking cricket teams; the pre-loved shop; ground maintenance and managing to get a lot of games played.
Feedback
There were some areas where members felt the club could improve. These included:
- Invest in facilities
- Develop a plan to retain younger players
- Improve communication
- Improve clarity around PSSC membership/usage.
Communication
Members wanted the committee and the club to communicate more often, more clearly and more openly about the club’s plans, achievements and especially about what is happening with the new ground.
Action: the committee would like a club member or a parent/guardian of a club member to be a volunteer Communications Officer to help manage and deliver the club’s communications (not team communications).
Fixed nets
The strongest theme in the survey responses was the situation with the club’s fixed nets. In summary, the fixed nets in the Lower Goosecroft were closed at the end of the last season (2023) because they were no longer safe to use due to tree roots breaking through the surface. In 2023, the committee had obtained quotes for refurbishment of the fixed nets in the Lower Goosecroft, which were in the region of £30,000.
The club faces difficult decisions with the fixed net provision because of the proposed new ground (known as the “Upper Goosecroft”). Since the end of the 2023 season, permission was granted for the work go ahead to create a new ground. Purley Parish Council obtained a significant grant to provide financial support for the work to take place.
Because of this, net refurbishment was not considered as financially viable or sensible because the space will be turned into a car park when the Upper Goosecroft is open and the £30k spent on nets would be wasted as the nets would not be able to be repositioned.
The club has explored other options to secure a new site for fixed nets so we can offer this facility for next season as we know that it is an important benefit for members. Unfortunately, both Purley Parish Council and Sulham Estates are unable to offer any additional sites around the Goosecroft due to other planned works (for example, the new shop).
At the moment we are exploring alternative provision for a net facility for the 2025 season that balances the club’s desire for nets, versus the cost and practicality of temporary nets.
In the absence of the permanent provision of fixed nets, the committee encourages members wishing to practice to fully utilise the current artificial pitch, the two mobile nets and both the adult and junior bowling machines - full instructions on how to use both bowling machines will be shared with all members by their respective cricket coordinator ahead of the outdoor season.
Covers
Survey respondents also suggested the club invest in new covers for the playing square and improvements to the changing rooms/facilities.
Action: A proposal to purchase new pitch covers, and new sight screens was approved at the club’s AGM on 3 December. We are close to ordering new covers and are keen to explore the opportunity for sponsorship of the new covers.
The committee would welcome any introductions to potential sponsors from members. Please contact nickturner5@gmail.com for more details.
Facilities/clubhouse
The club leases the pavilion from Parish Council (PC) and as a result has limited ability to change the facilities.
The contract for cleaning is managed by the Parish Council, except for matchday cleaning when the home team is expected to sweep out changing rooms, toilets and communal areas (including the refreshment room). The committee would encourage members to report any aspect of dissatisfaction with cleanliness to a committee member promptly and this will be addressed with the Parish Council.
Senior coaching
Some respondents said the club should not continue to pay for senior coaching and that this money could be better spent on facilities. The cost of senior coaching is a considerable expense to the club and last year the club spent more than its income. We have taken your wishes on board and for next outdoor season, we will not have a senior coach. The Adult Coordinator and the senior captains will work together on a plan for senior coaching for the 2025 season.
Retaining younger players
Many respondents said they were pleased about the number of junior players moving up to play in adult cricket: however, plenty said that the club needs to develop a plan to retain the younger generation of players. This could involve creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment for young people, as well as providing them with opportunities to develop their skills.
Action: We’d like to invite members of the senior teams to become more involved in the junior teams through regular or one-off specialist coaching sessions to reduce the gap between the two groups. Anyone interested in getting more involved should contact Steve Musson, Junior Coordinator, for an informal conversation in the first instance.
Membership of Purley Sports and Social Club
Your feedback says that you want the club to clarify the membership process for the Purley Sports and Social Club (PSSC). We have met with the PSSC and the details of when club members can use the social club without a PSSC membership are on the Purley Sports and Social Club page on our website, along with details of how to apply for PSSC membership.
Contact your committee member
Club members are encouraged to contact a committee member at any point during the year to raise concerns, ask questions, offer to get more involved with the club (on a one-off or a regular basis) or to give feedback on what the club is (or isn’t) doing well.
Anyone can contact any member of the committee, but where appropriate we’d recommend that playing members (or a parent/guardian of a junior member) contact the appropriate coordinator in the first instance, who may be able to help you most effectively.
You can contact committee members through the Contact us webpage, which will send a direct email to the individual.
Purley on Thames Cricket Club Committee
President - Martin Bishop
Chairman - Jeff Hinds
Vice-chairman - Nick Turner
Secretary - Paul Neal
Treasurer - Barry Carter
Safeguarding Officer - Helen Hill
Adult Coordinator - Nick Turner
Women’s and Girls’ Coordinator - Fiona Salvage
Junior Coordinator - Steve Musson
Ground Manager and Fixture Secretary - Martin Bishop