We all know opinions are divided on this, as with most subjective debates in a Seniors' Section, but we are not alone in taking strides to get more people to play in our 35 plus friendly matches.
As you know, we at Cricket have made the 'Jacket & Tie' an optional extra for Matches played on our own turf. I enclose a letter from Teign Valley who are going down a similar road - so the long day down in Devon can be cut from 8 hours to maybe 5 and home at a reasonable time.
Dear Captain
I considered
it only right and proper that I take time to write and inform you of some not
inconsiderable changes we at Teign Valley have made this year to the format of
our home friendly matches.
We felt
change was necessary insofar as reducing the formality and duration of the
occasion. Hence for the 2016 season we are trialling a new approach as
follows:-
Arrive 45
minutes prior to tee-off
Team
pairings compiled by match captains
A menu to be
made available, when choices of “after match” food can be chosen and appended
to a circulating form. (It is anticipated that the cost will be substantially
less than the “sit down dinner of the past at £12.50 per head”, perhaps
somewhere in the region of £7.00).
On completion
of one's match there will be no requirement to change (purely optional). Smart
casual is anticipated if one does so. Meals will be available immediately on
entering clubhouse (or as desired).
One would
hope that those finishing early will wait until such time as all matches are
completed, when an announcement will be made as to the result. There will be no
post-match speeches or joke telling thus enabling those who wish to depart
early to do so.
Naturally,
change is not always welcomed by all and for this I can only apologise to those
not in favour. In the interests of preserving our friendly meetings something
had to be done: we hope you and your team can sympathise and continue to enjoy
our hospitality as always.
Very many
thanks and kindest regards
Stan Jones,
Teign Valley G. C. Seniors Captain
So when our wandering Captain puts up those Team Sheets for the 3 matches in March - let's have it filled with names & reserves.
