Today marks the start of the 2025 cricket season with opening matches against our local rivals, Middlesex CCL Premier division club, Richmond CC, on the banks of the River Thames.

Welcome back to our returning members and warm greetings to all new members joining the Pheasant fold. I am pleased to welcome the latest of our Aussie overseas contingent, Tyler Grainger-Balding, who is joining us straight from a successful season in Sydney 1st Grade cricket.

The off-season has seen fantastic energy and commitment from our volunteers. A new committee structure conceived by Hon-Sec Jake Symes, is bringing fresh ideas, both on and off the pitch. There are now two Vice-chairs, Andy Bowles and Seb Shukla, to support me in my role.

This greater volunteer involvement should ensure that Barnes CC continues to thrive as a great cricket and social club in this and in future years.

Exciting Initiatives for 2025
Several great new initiatives have been introduced this season:
• Hybrid Pitches at Lonsdale Road: This season we are unveiling new hybrid pitches using the same leading technology that is used at Lords and The Oval. This blends 95% natural grass with 5% synthetic fibres, resulting in improved surface durability and consistency with significantly reduced maintenance costs. Going forward, this should allow to the Club host more senior and colts matches with less wear and tear.
• KitLocker Partnership: Our new kit supplier, KitLocker, is now providing high-quality Nike brand club stash. Luke Bulpett and KL’s new online store should make it easier than ever to order and wear the Phez with pride.
• New Sponsorship: Joe Jenkins has worked tirelessly in the off-season on securing additional sponsorship for the Club. We are pleased to announce Pertemps as our new club sponsor and extend a huge thank you to Ben Goodrum for acquiring his company’s support.
• NV Play Live Streaming: We’ve invested in an new NV Play camera system, enabling us to live stream matches to our supporters around the world. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Berlin or SW13, you’ll be able to follow every ball at Lonsdale Rd. Thanks to Jared and Stubbsy for making this happen.

One challenge we still have is to find a new editor of the Barnes Bugle, to maintain the journalist excellence of previous years, or at least to cajole and collate the captains match reports in a timely manner.

Financial Update & Subscriptions

Like many clubs across the country, Barnes CC has faced significant increases in the cost of playing adult cricket in recent years. The senior section has operated at a deficit since Covid, which has put pressure on our long term finances. To address this, Mo Elguidi and the finance sub-committee have made the difficult decision to increase sub and match fees for the coming season. As in previous years, we will continue to support our members if they are in genuine financial difficulties.

We are also redoubling our efforts to secure additional sponsorship, led by Joe Jenkins, with the aim of minimising future fee increases. Any members who can support this as Ben has done will be massively appreciated.

A Promising Start

As is tradition at this stage of the season, all our senior teams are currently in promotion positions in their respective leagues. The Barnes Stormers (u/21s) are Middlesex Development League (MDL) champions. Let's hope that all the teams remain in these places at the end of the season.

Here’s to a fantastic 2025 season and many chairman’s rounds.

Viva la Phez!!

Mike Harriman
Chairman