Photo taken outside the Pavilion after the first cricket committee meeting, summer 2016.
The HISTORY
Cricket in Petworth Park has a history dating back to the early 1800's, with 5 recorded first class matches in the 1840's when Petworth Cricket Club was briefly a major team.
The pitch moved from in front of the main house and for decades Petworth Park Cricket Club played in the beautiful current position overlooking the South Downs.
In recent years the club saw a decline in players and matches, until eventually the club ceased to exist altogether.
The Revival
A group of locals have come together to revive cricket in Petworth Park, building a family club from the bottom up with junior cricket development for boys and girls at it's heart.
Since forming a committee to get things going in June 2016, the club has formally adopted a constitution and become incorporated as a Community Interest Company.
This is a hugely exciting time for the Club, but not without some big challenges; the cricket pitch requires serious reconstruction, training facilities need to be provided and volunteer junior coaches need to be trained and qualified. The required funds are significant, as are the man hours to make this vision a reality.
We are hugely appreciative of all the support and enthusiasm so far from locals and people with memories stretching back to the glory days!
Achievements so Far
May 2016 - Brought together a group to revive cricket in Petworth Park
June 2016 - Formed a Committee
June 2016 - Adopted a Constitution
June 2016 - Pitch assessment undertaken by Andy Mackay, Sussex CC Head Groundsman
July 2016 - Held 'Chance to Shine' awareness sessions at Petworth Primary School
July 2016 - Held a Fun Day BBQ to create awareness
July 2016 - Appointed a Junior Cricket Coordinator
August 2016 - Held 4 Saturday Morning Junior Cricket Sessions, attracting 60 girls and boys
September - Renovated part of the cricket square
November 2016 - Held a sell out Quiz & Curry night, raising over £1,000.
December 2016 - Incorporated as a Community Interest Company
January 2017 - Appointed a Club Welfare Officer & Membership Secretary
March 2017 - Began spring work on the cricket pitch
April 2017 - Cricket Force working party weekend & Signing on event
April 2017 - Membership packages launched
May 2017 - Junior Cricket Sessions began, through until August.
July 2017 - Launch of 2017 'Mini-Season', with Petworth Estate versus Town gala match.
September 2017 - Kickstarter Campaign for pitch raises £2,000.
October 2017 - Cricket Square received major renovations. February 2018 - Held a sell out Quiz & Chilli Night fundraiser
March 2018 - Spring work on the cricket began
March 2018 - three members qualified as ECB Coach Support Workers for our junior section
April 2018 - Held Registration Day event for second season, full fixtures list for season went live!
May 2018 - Sponsorship packages launched
May 2018 - Junior Cricket second season began, through until August.
June 2018 - First win of the season! (Away v Boxgrove)
June 2018 - First home match of the season
June 2018 - Trophy win for PPCC in the legendary home v Leconfield Estate fixture
July 2018 - a member qualified as a UKCC Level 2 Coach for our junior section
August 2018 - Junior Cricketers played their first U12’s pairs game
August 2018 - Presidents Day celebrations
September 2018 - PPCC and Petfringe hosted a ‘Big Music Bash’ at Petworth Park Sports Ground, set to be an annual fundraising event.
Next Steps
While we have some great momentum and support behind us, we still are in serious need of improving the facilities. Training nets, and ground works are priorities, each costing many thousands of pounds to get right. We're setting out to make this an inspiring facility and a club for everyone in Petworth to use and enjoy, so if you can help, please support us.