GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S thriving seniors section hopes to go from strength to strength as the new competitive season gets underway on Tuesday.
A grand total of ten men’s representative sides will this summer be taking to the field with some 160 players registered to proudly pull on their county’s shirts.
Gloucestershire will this year be selecting an Over 70s second XI for the first time, and have also entered an Over 50s fourth XI into its respective county competition after testing the water with a handful of friendlies 12 months ago.
These sides complement four existing Over 60s teams which help provide a wide range of representative cricket for players who, not so long ago, would otherwise have hung up their boots and, in many cases, walked away from the sport.
Chair Razi Ahmed said: “It’s wonderful to see so many more people becoming involved with seniors cricket and for Gloucestershire’s seniors section to be growing in this way.
“Awareness has certainly been increasing , that’s a big help, while the physical and mental health benefits of continuing to play are obvious.
“We have worked hard to create something is as inclusive as it can possibly be, and also covers both the north and the south of the county.
“We created a new player-relationship role a year ago, and Phil Edge has worked hard behind the scenes in terms of recruitment and player welfare, understanding the needs of people.
“And we also created a club relationship manager position which Ian Robson took on. He finds clubs who can host our home games, and that helps further spread the word across the county as more and more are now coming forward.”
Sponsors have been quick to come on board with eight companies now represented on playing shirts while the seniors section has also signed a three-year kit deal with Gray Nicolls that ensures all members look the part.
Razi added: “We want to be one of the best seniors sections in the country in terms of the way we are organised and set up.
“We’re creating something that people feel a big part of, where they belong, and it goes beyond cricket as we also have golf and paddle groups that are tremendously popular.”
Gloucestershire had the unique distinction of last year providing England captains for all three senior international teams – Richard Trotman (Over 50s), Ed Gordon Lennox (Over 60s) and John Evans (Over 70s).
That achievement was celebrated at the seniors’ end of season dinner when some 14 players who had completed a century of appearances were presented with special caps.
And there was an award to prolific opener Keith Daniels to celebrate passing a remarkable 250-game landmark for Gloucestershire.
Razi said: “It’s more than just a game … playing for our seniors cricket is a way of life that brings people together.”
Gloucestershire Over 60s open their bid for honours with a trip to face Devon at Shillingstone with the 60s 2nds host Oxfordshire at Stowell Park and the 4ths entertain Wales, at Birdlip.