Founder - Alan WILTSHIRE	Colts Sec 2008 - Rich FROGGETT

Hythe & Dibden Colts Cricket was set up in 1975 by Alan Wiltshire long before the introduction of the Colts Leagues.

The team use to play the likes of Calmore and Pylewell Park who set up sides around the same time. The nucleus of the Hythe side would then turn out for the adult Sunday Second XI also run by Alan. Infact apart from Alan, Tony Woodhouse and one other, the whole side consisted of colts. Needless to say we were well beat on many was occasions but a good experience for us all.

Alan Wiltshire who did a lot of work for the club for many years then moved to Romsey to live and the colts section just about kept going.

At the end of the 1980's and early 90's Hythe enjoyed theior best success at colts level. Coached by Sid Shirazi the Under 13 side won the New Forest Cup  and the following season went onto win the league title. The side contained present first team player Ben Kendrick and Stu Price. During the season of 1992 Ben and Sturat shared a record partnership of 200 for 0 in an 18 overs game. Ben scored 143 not out and Stu 57 not out.

The following season Sid Shirazi moved to a new club and the successful side drifted apart.

The colts section despite great efforts from Brian Marwood and Billy Ogle went into a bit of a rut until in 2001 Kev James joined the club permantely from B.A.T and using his coaching skills restructured the colts division.

Kev with the support of his wife Elaine worked overtime to get the section set up properly, with Indoor winter nets, Training every Monday, and qualified coaching from Hampshire Cricket Board.  Elaine also worked hard to obtain grants and sponsorship for the colts section.

The club at this stage ran four sides with Kev running two. Things were begining to take shape with over forty youngsters every week turning up for practice. Darren Miller and Matt Howe represented the New Forest and Ben Smith has winter training with Hampshire.

What the club didn't have was enough players at each age group to fill the sides which still stands today, but what it did was allow some of our lads to step upto a higher level.

After two long summers Kev and Elaine decided to take a break with Gary and Ann Howe taking over the colts section. The club continued to grow with three sides taking the field during 2004 & 2005.

More youngsters were turning up for Monday night coaching and more youngsters were moving into adult cricket at a rapid pace. Sunday adult friendlies were set up so Gary could captain a side consisting mostly of colts. Last season Luke Mills, Simon Wright, Ben Kendrick, Dave Guymer and Russell Moore all turned out for the Saturday First XI and were all at one time came through the colts section..

At the begining of 2005 we also introduced a Welfare Officer to the club. Sue Guymer gave up her own time to attend league meetings and Hythe committee meetings to bring us up with new legislations. Everyone who works with the colts are checked out before hand. Thank you Sue we are most grateful.  

Gary and Ann Howe after two seasons of spending more summer evenings down at the ground than at home, decided to take a break (though they ended up taking over as secretary of the senior sides- don't know which is harder) and handed over to Richie and Sue Froggett.

Richie and Sue have done did a great job in the past two seasons ably supported by Sally Harding who ran two colts sides and Gary Howe who run the Under 17's and took them to third place last season- the highest place by a Hythe side for 17 years.

Harry Smith represented the New Forest at Under 13 level whilst Kieran Chalmers did the same at Under 11. The latest Hythe Colts star to be called up into the New Forest Representative side is Matt Young. Congratulations to all three players and hopefully they will become Hythe players for many years to come. Its another bonus for the club that yet another of their colts has been selected for the rep side and also for the work that Richie puts in.

Anyone who knows Richie knows he talks a very good cricket story and his experiences can only benefit the colts.

For 2008 Hythe will be running three colts sides at Under 11's, 13's & 15's.

Richie Froggett will run the Under 13's with Sally Harding taking on the Under 15's. At present we are still searching for someone to run the Under 11's. The majority of last years Under 17's are now too old for 17's cricket but hopefully many of them will now play more regular for the senior sides.

Richie will be looking to filter several of the Under 15's into adult cricket this year especially on a Sunday in the Tony Woodhouse Trophy. The likes of Harry Smith, Todd Powell and Matt Young have already tasted the senior game. Todd holds the record as the youngest player to play in a senior game at 6 years and 187 days.

MATCH DAYS

The Under 11's and the Under 15's will play their matches on Sunday Mornings with a 10.30 start.

The Under 13's will play on a Thursday Evening with a 6.30 start.

Could I remind parents for home games that we would like the youngsters down the ground 30 minutes prior to the start to assist in setting up the ground and also warm up.

TRAINING NIGHT

The Colts Training Evening will be Tuesday Nights from 6.30 - 8pm down at the club in Jone Lane.

The Club currently has four club coaches and several senior players will be on hand to support.

When the youngsters are asked to practice their batting they will be kitted out with bat, pads, gloves, helmet.

First aiders are on hand should an accident occur.

There is a charge of £1 for the coaching to assist with the club funds.

Newcomers are always welcome 

MATCH FEES

There will be a match fee of £1 per game to assist with the club costs and also a practice night fee of £1.

During the summer of months from May 1st to August 31st the club is run by the cricket section and we pay all the bills. The costs to run the club for the four months are £3,500. Last season the colts section contributed £1,400 towards the costs of running the club as well as we paid out £250 for indoor school nets, £60 for entry fees into leagues, £390 for additional caoching for the older colts  and £350 on balls, bats and protective gear.

CLUB CLOTHING

It is not a standard that your youngster has club clothing however if you wish to purchase shirts, fleeces or caps then please visit the club clothing page of this website.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Hythe & Dibden has a 'Code of Conduct' which is situated on the notice board just inside the main clubhouse.

The 'Code of Conduct' is for everyone associated with the club - adult teams, colts, spectators and parents.

Should anyone be in breach of our ' Code of Conduct ' then it will be taken to the club committee and in a worse case the member found guilty will be asked to leave the club.

Hythe & Dibden Cricket Club has a reputation of being a friendly club and we wish to maintain the reputation.

SUMMARY

Everyone at Hythe appreciates the hard work that has gone in to make our Colts Section what it is today. Whilst we are not one of the strongest playing sides in the New Forest,  we can boast that all our youngsters live in the Hythe area.

All our club members accept that the Colts are the future of the club and every effort will be made to support Richie and Sue Froggett in maintaining the Colts Section.

If we can find more players through ythe colts like current first team players Paul Whitlock, Simon Wright, Simon Dixon and Ben Kendrick, and I am sure we will, then we have done well.

Our club made a committment a few years ago that the adult Sunday XI would be used to bring colts into adult Cricket. Sunday Skipper Russell Moore started out playing for Hythe Under 13's a few years ago. If a youngster is ready for that step up, then we will ask the payer and their parents if we can approach them to play. If they enjoy it then hopefully they will play for Hythe for many season to come. 

HYTHE & DIBDEN' S SUCCESSFUL UNDER 17 SIDE - 2007