Jonathan Batty visits Horley Cricket Club to open new practice nets
“To have a new facility which is top of the range is massive for the club."
Jonathan Batty with club chairman Colin Terry.
Submitted for publication in the Surrey Mirror
Surrey Women’s cricket coach and former county captain Jonathan Batty visited Horley Cricket Club to officially open their new practice nets.
The top-of-the-range nets were built in the close season at a cost of £49,000 after a monumental fundraising effort from the club, with individual members making donations and supporting special events to add to grants given by a range of organisations.
Club members of all ages gathered at the ground to see Batty cut the ribbon and to then try out the nets for the first time.
Batty said: “I have been to Horley Cricket Club a few times before and I know it as a nice community club. Now they have this outstanding facility. It’s amazing.”
Horley’s men’s first team captain Charlie Robins was equally impressed with the nets.
He said: “We have always had nets that were pretty battered and had to be renovated every year.
“They have looked worse and worse over the years. The old nets were not a true surface to play on.
“To have a new facility which is top of the range is massive for the club.
"Since I have been on the committee, paying for new nets is the thing that has been talked about every year. It is so nice to know it’s done now.”
Chairman Colin Terry added: “There are too many individuals and volunteers for me to list that made this possible, but Keymex and Richard [Stephenson] always help out, whenever we need something. He is a fantastic sponsor.”
Horley’s senior and junior teams will be making good use of the nets from now on, as they prepare for the start of their league season next month.
The club from Horley, Surrey, runs teams for men and women, plus boys and girls of all ages, with the men’s first team playing in the Surrey County League Premier Division.
The Surrey Mirror covers areas including but not limited to Banstead, Epsom, Redhill, Reigate and Tatsfield in Surrey.
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