West Bridgfordians Cricket Club (WBCC) celebrated a season of impressive firsts and records both on and off the field at its recent end-of-year awards dinner.
The club regularly fielded five open-age teams on a Saturday for the very first time, plus a sixth XI on Sunday. WBCC is one of only three clubs in the county to manage five Saturday sides, showing the depth of talent in the club, including a record 40 juniors who played open-age cricket on a Saturday. The club also introduced its first training sessions dedicated solely to fielding, alongside achieving record attendance at both summer and winter training.
WBCC has nearly 400 children ranging in age from four to 18 years in its junior section, one of the largest, if not the largest, junior sections in Nottinghamshire.
This year, the club extended training throughout August, enabling more children to enjoy cricket and giving each child greater opportunity to develop and play. WBCC played more than 225 junior games in the last year and both the Under-10s and Under-11s added to the trophy cabinet by winning county cup finals.
The women’s and girls’ section is thriving, with over 80 players, the highest-ever number of female players. The focus is on enjoyment across different formats, encouraging many to take up the sport for the first time.
This summer saw three teams playing, including the debut of a hardball 100-format team. The softball team also had a successful season, reaching the league finals. Adding to the high-quality, fun training, the teams have benefited from coaching by Notts legend Georgie Boyce.
Three West Bridgfordians received prestigious Cricket Collective awards: Cate Hayes (Unsung Hero), John Spragg (Coach of the Year), and Justine Robinson (Cricket Innovator). As the only club to secure three awards this year, WBCC considered this fitting recognition for them and for the tireless army of volunteers who make playing cricket at WBCC possible.
Off the field, the focus was on communication and the club’s social life. Regular updates on social media for team and fixture news led to the highest-ever number of followers and monthly views, while a weekly club newsletter kept everyone fully informed. The social calendar expanded with new, successful events, including cocktail-making and Country and Western nights.
Club Chair Jon Sheard commented: “It’s been an absolutely phenomenal year with so many achievements!
“The real highlight for me is seeing the sheer number of people getting involved, whether that’s wielding a bat or ball, volunteering behind the scenes, or cheering us on with a drink in hand. We’re looking to build on this year’s success with ambitious plans for 2026, and we’re always keen to welcome new people who want to enjoy their cricket and be part of a vibrant and sociable club!”
To learn more about WBCC, visit the website or get in touch via email.
