Shropshire Seniors AGM 2025
The Shropshire Seniors AGM (Over 50s & Over 60s) will be held at Wroxeter CC on Thursday, October 30, from 7pm.
Umpiring course arranged in Shropshire
An ECB Umpiring Couse organised by the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials (SACO) will take place later this month.
Shropshire Seniors looking for players for 2026 campaigns
The 2025 cricket season may only just be coming to a close – but Shropshire’s Seniors sides are already planning ahead for their 2026 campaigns.
Shropshire fields two sides for both Over 50s and Over 50s age groups playing regular competitive cricket against their peers across the country.
Initially the cricket is played on a regional basis but thereafter, assuming the teams qualify for the latter stages, the opposition can be as far afield as Cornwall or Durham.
The Over 60 matches are generally played on a Tuesday, whilst the O50 matches take place usually on a Wednesday. There can be between six and 15 matches a season for each team depending on the success levels.
Shropshire Seniors Chair John Foster said: “Those who take part extol the virtues of regular competitive cricket for the senior age groups and look forward to the continued friendships which team sports generate.
“Players don’t need to have played Minor Counties cricket in the past or indeed Premier League cricket.
“It doesn’t matter what you used to be able to do, what matters is what you can do now. We need players who are fit, mobile and want to commit to playing regular cricket during the week.
“If you have, or know of, any players either at your club or another within the county (or indeed someone who has recently hung up their boots!) who may be interested in taking part next season, please pass get in touch.”
They can contact John or either Loll Woodhall (Over 60s) or Carl Ward (Over 50s) – via the email addresses below.
John Foster: seniorcricket@cricketshropshire.co.uk
Loll Woodhall: lollwoodhall@hotmail.com
Carl Ward: cward@citylearningtrust.org
Volunteer of the Month award winners revealed
Cricket Shropshire is delighted to announce three more worthy Volunteer of the Month award winners after a busy season up and down the county.
Young umpires take centre stage
Two Shropshire youngsters are taking their exciting first steps on their umpiring journey thanks to a new initiative between Cricket Shropshire and the county’s Association of Cricket Officials.
Sanisa Golar and Olivia Ashely took to the field as standing umpires in a county Age Group game between Shropshire Girls Under 13s and their Worcestershire counterparts at Willey CC last week.
Both first became involved in the officiating pathway during the Winter when they completed their Introduction to Umpiring Course in Shropshire.
Since then, they have been supported by Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials’ (SACO) Youth Development Officer Nathan Bartram who has been mentoring them on their umpiring journey.
It has seen them gain invaluable experience through festival cricket, junior matches and their first County Age Group game.
It has also seen them invited to Hundred games at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston in the past month to see first-hand the officials in action at the games.
Olivia also umpired her first Shropshire County Cricket League game at the weekend – taking charge of Whitchurch 3s v Chelmarsh2s in Sunday Division Two match – and was praised by both sides for her dedication to all things cricket.
She also plays for Whitchurch’s Wickettes side, has become and ECB Support Coach and completed her Scorers Course in recent weeks.
Nathan said: “What’s really refreshing is how eager young people are to learn. Olivia and Sanisa have been brilliant taking everything on board and showing real talent.
“But just as importantly, by standing out in the middle, they’re showing the players that umpiring isn’t just a role for ex-male players. They’re making it visible and achievable for anyone who wants to get involved.
“The message they’re sending is powerful: that could be me.”
The vision now is to continue developing opportunities for new officials.
Plans are already in hand for targeted training courses over the winter including female-only courses and ones aimed for ethnic minorities to help broaden access and keep new umpires engaged all year-round.
Nathan added: “Our goal is to build a young officials’ development group so that, by next season, we’ve got even more new and younger umpires standing in county and junior games.
“If we can keep that momentum going, the future of umpiring in Shropshire looks really exciting.”
Cricket Shropshire Lead Officer Steve Reese said: “It was fantastic to see Sanisa and Olivia take charge of our County Age Group game last week.
“It not only highlighted the talent of two promising young umpires, but also underlined Cricket Shropshire’s commitment to making cricket more inclusive and ensuring that everyone whatever their age, gender, or background can see a pathway into the game.”
To find out more about how to start your umpiring journey, look out for details of forthcoming courses to be held in Shropshire in the upcoming months via the Board’s website HERE.
Alternatively check out the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials website HERE or the ECB website HERE.
Online ECB Umpiring course available
Calling all clubs in Shropshire: do you have someone who wants to become a qualified Umpire – whether for league fixtures, junior games or Women & Girls cricket?
Fun in the sun at Girls’ Softball Festival
Everyone had a great day at the Girls Softball Festival organised by Cricket Shropshire at Newport CC on Sunday.
Hoppers claim Championship Challenge Cup honours
Grasshoppers claimed the inaugural Shropshire T20 Mid-Week Championship Challenge Cup with a professional seven-wicket victory over St Georges at Allscott Heath CC.
Downes hits brilliant century for Over 50s
Mark Downes hit a brilliant century for Shropshire Over 50s when they made the long trip to Stockton CC to take on Durham in the knock-out stages of their national competition.
Women’s XI ready for Oxford final test
Good luck to Shropshire’s Women’s XI who this weekend travel to the stunning Wormsley CC in Buckinghamshire to take on Oxfordshire in their national Vitality Blast T20 Finals Day.
The team have qualified for the final after an outstanding campaign in Division Two North which has seen them win nine games out of ten.
Captain Lara Jones said everyone was looking forward to being involved in Finals Day.
“We have some very strong performances in out T20 campaign this year and are now looking forward to testing ourselves against Oxfordshire at Wormsley.
“Ava Clive will be opening the batting for us again and she’s in great form with a top score of 95 off 55 balls.
“Kate Brazier is our leading wicket taker and has been brilliant leading the attack this season followed by our highly effective spinners Amy Griffiths and Izzy Crann.
“The ladies are extremely excited and incredibly honoured to be representing Shropshire at a national final.
“We’ll be doing all we can to bring the trophy home and make the county proud.”
Coach Naomi Payne who has been with the team for most of the games said: “It’s such an exciting prospect and we’re all chomping at the bit to get going.
“It’s another long travel for us, but the girls are raring to go. After the way we’ve performed of late, I have no doubt we can take centre stage and show off the skills and talent that have got us this far.”
The team for the final is: Kate Brazier, Ava Clive (wicket-keeper), Isabelle Crann, Alex Hale, Esther Hurford, Amy Griffiths, Aamna Khan, Mariam Khan, Lara Jones (captain), Millie Parry, Harriet Shuker, Anna Hurford (12th)