How’s that?! Swanage CC win Jack Douch community trophy
Nick Douch, left, with Swanage CC members Craig Wells, Chris Wood and Natasha Norman
Swanage Cricket Club were presented with the Jack Douch trophy for cricket in the community at the gala dinner held for the sport in the county.
The club was chosen for many reasons including for a pavilion extension largely created by members.
A second pitch has been laid for the third XI and to introduce more youngsters and women to the game.
The club’s youth section is well stablished with well over 100 members from the ages of five through to under 15s, with lots of girls joining.
Club members work with schools and a new link has been created with Purbeck View, a school for autistic children.
Members get involved with the community and local businesses and the club runs an internal six-a-side competition.
It has hosted Dorset over-50s matches and unlike some clubs has continued to offer match teas. It also has plans to launch a 4th XI.
Nick Douch, grandson of Jack after whom the trophy is named, presented it to Craig Wells from the club at the gala dinner held at the Pavilion in Bournemouth.
There were some other clubs close to winning the award but Swanage have done a magnificent job for their community.
It is exactly what my grandfather would have loved. Club cricket was his passion and to see all the youngsters – including girls – playing the game would have delighted him.
We sponsored the league for more than a decade through The Dorset Funeral Plan and it was wonderful to see all the enthusiasm for cricket at the dinner.
Nick Douch
MD of Douch Family Funeral Directors
The club was also presented with a cheque for £500 to spend on its community projects.
We are fortunate to have a real volunteer culture which means we can get a lot done. It is the same old faces, but there are lots of them.
We really were delighted to receive this because it is for the whole club and everyone associated with it.
A few years ago we developed our youth systems and those players are beginning their senior cricket careers.
That is why we plan a 4th XI, so these youngsters and women who want to start playing hard ball cricket can have a game.
Tim Ives
Swanage Cricket Club
