Page 16 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

COLLEGE NEWS RATCLIFFE COLLEGE & LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY

CRICKET PARTNERSHIP

Following the announcement of our new, exciting partnership, on 19th May 2019, we welcomed
Leicestershire County Cricket Club to Ratcliffe for the fi rst of 22 fi xtures to be hosted at the
College during the 2019 season.
This inaugural fi xture saw Leicestershire Under 14s take on Cambridgeshire Under 14s,
and Leicestershire were victorious. This match led the way for a successful season for
Leicestershire, with Ratcliffe College as their home base.
The campus was alive with visitors during the summer break, and it was a privilege to share
our beautiful grounds and facilities with families, players and coaches from Leicestershire,
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire,
London Schools, Northamptonshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Wales, Warwickshire,
Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and the England Women’s Academy.

One of the many highlights for the College was being asked by Phillip DeFreitas, former
England and Leicestershire cricketer and now Leicestershire coach, if Sky Sports could
fi lm on campus as part of an Ashes tribute to Ian Botham. Within a short space of time,
the Sky Sports fi lm crew and producer arrived to view our grounds for a suitable location,
and our Lockhart Garden was the ideal venue. Dominic Cork, former England, County and
International cricketer, was the interviewing presenter (pictured, above, right), and there
was a real buzz in the air as fi lming commenced. Headmaster Jon Reddin welcomed Sky
Sports in what we hope will be the fi rst of many opportunities for the College.
In addition to the 1st XI pitch and the Fitness Suite and Studio, the College has further
developed its facilities for cricket with a new pavilion for the Chapel Pitch (pictured, right).
The Leicestershire Under 13s played the fi rst fi xture against Cheshire there on 25th June, and
Leicestershire won the match on a wicket, which made for a competitive game. The new pavilion has
been designed to both blend in with, and complement, its natural surroundings.
Jack Nightingale (18) (right) has supported this partnership by helping to host a number of fi xtures,
being an Ambassador for Ratcliffe, and also taking visitors on tours of the College. Jack plays for
Leicestershire County Cricket Club and has recently successfully trialled for the MCCU at Loughborough
University. We wish him well.
The second year of our partnership with Leicestershire Youth Teams has begun, and they train at the
College each week. Ed Woodcock (Head of Cricket) and our PE Department staff are also involved in Coach
Education sessions at the Fischer County Ground, led by Paul Nixon (Head Coach) and Leicestershire’s
Coaching Team. This partnership continues to be an exciting opportunity for Ratcliffe, as, along with
Leicestershire County Cricket Club, we continue to support the development of children’s involvement
Leicestershire County Cricket Club, we continue to support the development of children’s involvement
in cricket.
If you would like any further information regarding our partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, please do not hesitate to
contact Tracey Nightingale, Cricket Partnership Manager, at tnightingale@ratcliffecollege.com.

16 The Old Ratcliffi an 2019