Watsonian Cricket Club are pleased to announce that Lea Tsui has joined the club in the capacity of Head of Girls & Womens Cricket.

Lea, an UKCC Level 2 Qualified Coach, will work with the club overseeing all aspects of female cricket at Myreside.

As part of WCC’s commitment to growing the game and offering the opportunity for all to play and enjoy cricket the areas of girls and womens cricket are ones that the club are heavily focused on and are deeply passionate about developing.

The club already run a hugely successful set of sessions for U11 girls and many of girls have graduated in to the older age groups over the past few seasons meaning we have a strong core of talented female cricketers throughout the club. In addition there are a number of girls who already support the club in offering much valued coaching within these sessions.

Lea will work closely with Head’s of Youth Cricket & Coaching at Myreside Simon Counsell & Dewald Nel and the rest of the WCC Committee in helping develop a plan and long term strategy for growing the girls and womens sections within the club over for the future.

President, Ross Brooks was clearly delighted at the news of the arrival of Lea to the club when talking to watsoniancricket.co.uk this week “It is fantastic news that Lea will be joining the team, girls cricket at Myreside has seen significant development over the past few years and Lea’s arrival will help us further develop our strategy for growth in this area over the coming seasons”

“Anyone who has met Lea in even passing will realise the amount of energy and passion she has for the game and for her to want to join us at Myreside to help develop Girls and Womens cricket is a huge boost for the club. All at Watsonians have a clear vision to develop all areas of cricket and I wish Lea all the very best of luck in her role helping support the club realise our ambitions”.

Lea’s arrival at Myreside comes at a time when girls and womens cricket is flourishing in Scotland, at the recent Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards Cricket Scotland won the Award for Best Women’s Cricket Initiative in Europe

Welcome to Myreside Lea!

If you want to find out more about the current offering for girls or womens cricket at Myreside or discuss any opportunities or future plans then please contact Lea via the details on the ’Contacts‘ page

We are pleased to introduce the latest venture for our growing youth section in the form of ‘The WICCIE’. A new newsletter rounding up all the latest news and views of Colts Cricket at Myreside.

In this first edition you will learn a little more about the latest goings on with the WCC Colts and also get a chance to catch up with ’Sonians new Head of Youth Coaching, Dewald Nel 

So to get the latest version of ‘THE WICCIE’ all you have to do is click the link below or at the top of this article

*********************    THE WICCIE JANUARY 2012   *********************

Remember for even quicker news from Myreside follow @WCC_Colts  on twitter!

There are only few places left for the P3 indoor coaching which starts this Sunday (15^th Jan) with a good number of
enthusiastic 6 year olds already signed up to start their ‘Sonian careers.

Also for all ages groups then just a quick reminder that if you are coming to the nets at the weekend and haven’t returned your form please do ASAP to avoid disappointment. All forms available at this link – http://www.watsoniancricket.co.uk/general/wcc-youth-cricket-winter-training/

Due to damage on the roof caused by the recent high winds in the new games hall at GWC in we have had to change the time of U13 coaching THIS SATURDAY (14^th Jan) ONLY now 1 – 2:30pm. This will now take place in old games hall.

For any questions then please contact thecounsells@hotmail.com

Remember to follow @WCC_Colts on twitter for all the latest ‘Sonian News & Views

As part of the deal Worker will also represent the Scottish Saltires in their 12 CB40 fixtures during the summer.

The 22 year old New Zealander batsman made his first class debut in 2007 for Central Districts along side former ‘Sonian Tim Weston whilst he has also represented the Kiwis at age group level in the U19 World Cup.

Worker had a short successful stint in Scotland last summer representing SMRH along with some strong performances for the Saltires in which he clearly impressed enough to warrant a full run this coming summer on the county circuit.

Back home George switched from Central Districts to Canterbury before the start of the current domestic season and has impressed at the top of the order this summer including hitting his maiden first class hundred against Auckland.

WCC President Ross Brooks commented “It is fantastic news to be able announce that George is joining ‘Sonians for the summer along with representing the Saltires and I’m sure he’ll have a successful summer playing club and county cricket”.

Brooks added “Having spent a bit of time in George’s company last summer I know he will bring something special to the squad and all the boys are really looking forward to working with him on and off the field”

Having filled in for the original Saltires overseas player Luke Butterworth in the CB40 last season George featured in victories over Northants and Warwickshire and is looking forward to representing the Saltires in their full list of 12 fixtures against the counties home and away this summer.

Scotland Head Coach Pete Steindl commenting on the news said, “I’m looking forward to seeing George back in a Saltires shirt for our 2012 Clydesdale Bank 40 campaign. His attacking style of batting fits well at the top of the order, while his left arm spin will also prove a handy asset. He will be warmly welcomed back into the dressing room after his positive impact last season”.

Along with coaching the Senior squad throughout the summer. Worker will also work closely with ‘Sonians Head’s of Youth Development & Coaching, Simon Counsell & Dewald Nel developing the young talent at Myreside and within the community.

I’m sure you will join us in giving George a warm welcome to Myreside this summer.

The first few sessions will be run by club coach Dewald Nel who will be looking to set the tone for the rest of the winter sessions.

Please make sure you are there nice and sharp to kick off at 10am!

As a former player at Watsonians and a former GWC pupil Nel’s career has blossomed since he last stepped on the park at Myreside, over the past 5 years Nel has been widely recognised as one of the premier bowlers in the Scotland international set up and in this time has enjoyed successful stints as a county cricketer at both Worcestershire and Kent.

Along with his vast playing experience and Level 2 Coaching Qualification Nel brings with him an extremely high level of enthusiasm and passion for developing the talent at Myreside that will be exceptionally important in helping move the club forward.

Dewald will be involved in helping structure and deliver training sessions at U11, U13 and U15s during the winter and summer of 2012, will deliver a full complement of cricket camps and masterclasses and will also oversee the beginning of the Senior Indoor Sessions in January & February helping the club implement a more structured environment for all cricketers to develop.

Whilst an injury in 2011 cut short Nel’s county career at Kent during last summer he is hoping to be back to his best to pull on the ‘Sonians shirt in 2012 and will be a much valued member of the senior squad both on and off the field.

President Ross Brooks commenting on the appointment said “I am delighted that we are able to welcome back Dewald to Myreside and in a role that is significantly important to our clubs development. I’m excited at the prospect of having our young cricketers exposed to an even more professional level of coaching and I am sure Dewald will have a positive influence on all our members. I have been immensely impressed with his level of enthusiasm, his clear passion and vision and I very much look forward to working alongside Dewald over the coming year”

I’m sure all at WCC join us in welcoming Dewald back to the club and support him through out the year.

Welcome Home Dee!

View the rest of this article for details of how to sign up.

The below links take you to details and registration forms for the following sessions – P3 Boys & Girls, P4 Boys & Girls, P5-7 Girls Cricket & Under 11s Sessions.

So sign up today before places go! For more news on Youth Cricket at Watsonians then follow @WCC_Colts on twitter

WCC Cricket u11 Coaching Info and Winter Registration Form 2012

WCC P3 Coaching Info and Winter Registration Form 2012

WCC P4 Coaching Info and Winter Registration Form 2012

WCC Girls Cricket P5-P7 Coaching Info and Winter Registration Form 2012

The 2011 Award Winners are as follows…..

The Kim Hughes Bat

For his match winning innings of 100* for the 2nd XI against Holy Cross at Arboretum in which he hit the final 2 deliveries for 6 & 4 to go to his ton and win the match the winner of this award for the second time in three seasons is Andy Learmonth

The Centenary Cup

For his outstanding catch in a 3rd XI fixture at Craiglockhart that was described in some quarters as ‘the flying pig’ the winner of the Centenary Cup for the catch of the season is Keith Stoddart

TJ Elgin Bowling Trophy

As the clubs leading wicket taker in 2011, taking 25 wickets in for the 3rd XI and a couple more for the 2nd XI the winner of the award is Ross Brooks

First XI Player of the Year

For his outstanding all round contribution on the field scoring runs, taking fine catches and grabbing the odd wicket here and there the winner of this award probably deserves to win it on that record alone. However add the way he has represented the club off the field and scored a century for Scotland at Lords the winner of this award is Ewan Chalmers.

Mike Gruber Young Player of the Season

For his on field performances with bat and ball, his excellent attitude to training and develeping his game the winner of the Young Player of the Year is Aidan Thomson

Well done to all the award winners!

Joe’s funeral takes place on Monday, November 21 at Mortonhall.

Over the last few years a lot has changed at WCC, but one thing remained constant – the presence of Joe Flannigan and Bob Lockhart watching from the boundary and balcony.

Sadly Joe passed away at the weekend and he will be fondly remembered by all current and ex-WCC players for his words of encouragement or his opinion on your batting stance should he felt you needed it! He followed the first XI home and away with Bob and often John Martin and he was so proud to see the team competing for top flight honours over the last few years.

However, that pride did not compare to what he felt when his son Keith and grandson Euan played for the same WCC side a couple of summers ago. And there is no doubt that Keith and Euan will carry on the Flannigan-WCC link for many years to come.

A very kind man who had a nice word for everyone, even sometimes the opposition and the umpires, Joe will be very sadly missed at WCC.

Our thoughts are with Joe’s family Keith, Jan, Euan and Janey at this time.

Everyone at Watsonians was delighted to see the news that WCC youth team player Kathryn Bryce made her senior Scotland debut last weekend.

Kathryn took to the field last Sunday to take on Staffordshire and took 2-46 in her 10 over allocation of overs, including the scalp of one the Staffordshire opening bats.

A key member of the Under 13 side Kathryn has impressed many in the club and at George Watson’s College with a number of impressive displays when playing alongside the boys for the past few seasons.

Kathryn first took up cricket when she was 9 years old in P5 along with the Watson’s girls and was greatly encouraged from an early age by Liz Smith. Only a year later Kathryn took a hattrick when playing for the girls team against Sedbergh and has continued to improve her game at an impressive rate.

One of the youth team coaches relayed a story to the Website editor last year shortly after Kathryn had played for the Under 13s last year in a fixture at Fauldhouse. After arriving at the crease to the amusement of some of the Fauldhouse fielders a few overs and boundaries later the Fauldhouse fielders were shortly heard in conversation stating “this lassie can bat a bit!”

So a BIG CONGRATULATIONS from all at Myreside Kathryn, hopefully this is the first Wildcats performance of many to come and everyone at the club are looking forward to supporting you throughout your cricket career.