Henley Cricket Club is proud of the work it does to develop young cricketers of all abilities. The overall objectives are that young people enjoy the game, learn the basic skills and achieve their potential.

The club has strong links with seven local primary schools, where we have provided coaching for a number of years, with no charge to the schools or their pupils. This work has been financed by our sponsors and latterly by the Chance to Shine scheme, which aims to encourage the introduction of cricket in State schools.

We also have a club/school partnership agreement with Gillott’s School that has led to improved outdoor cricket facilities at the school and greater use of the school’s facilities by Henley Cricket Club’s junior members.

Every weekend during the cricket season about 200 girls and boys aged 7 to 17 are under the instruction of Henley Cricket Club’s fully-qualified ECB coaches, all of whom have been CRB checked. There is approximately an equal balance of ‘professional’ coaches and parents who have qualified as coaches under a scheme made possible by our sponsors’ generosity.

The club enters teams in the Berkshire Junior League at under 9, under 11, under 13 and under 15 levels. The more able under 13s and under 15s, as well as the older juniors who have passed through the club’s age-group teams, play league cricket in the 3rd and 4th Xls of the senior section of the club.

Our more skilled players are put forward for District and County trials and a significant number of juniors have already played representative cricket. Whilst we are proud of their achievements and the pursuit of excellence is laudable, the enjoyment and understanding of the game are regarded as being of equal importance. Further, all coaches try to encourage good conduct both on and off the field.

Equality is a key element in our approach to the coaching of young people, and this has been recognised by our award of Clubmark status. This prestigious award required us to meet a number of strict criteria as a ‘child-friendly’ club. Thus HCC is a club where children are instructed in a safe environment regardless of creed, colour, sex or physical disability.