Newmarket Cricket Club look to the future with a restructured junior set-up for 2024 season

With senior teams now established and their ground in Dullingham fully operational, Newmarket Cricket Club has switched its focus to the youth section.

A grant from Tesco in the town – alongside the Stampede putting in money itself – has allowed the club to upgrade the equipment available to junior players through 2024 and beyond.

First-team player Ruwan Pitigala will be the head coach of the restructured junior set-up, which this year will train on Tuesday evenings.

Pitigal said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have been given the responsibility of running the Newmarket Cricket Club’s junior programme.

“We aim to bring some fun and energetic sessions on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer months. Whether you’ve played before or new to the game we will help you enjoy playing cricket in a great environment.”

Meanwhile, first-team captain Mark Nunn is hopeful that the club will reap the rewards of its revamped youth programme in years to come.

He said: “A club is often only as good as its youth system.

“We want to create a pathway where we’ve got teams playing in youth leagues – and for those players to eventually play for the senior teams.

“If you can get a group to come through together then you can build a side around those players.

“There is nothing better than moving through the year groups with a bunch of mates and then playing for the first or second team together.”

The club is holding a registration night for juniors on Tuesday, April 23, with sessions due to get under way on Tuesday, May 14 (6.15pm-7.30pm).