The Club has a thriving junior section catering for players of all abilities from the youngest members who are learning the basic skills of the game to those in the older age groups who continue to develop their skills and enjoy the opportunity to play in senior sides.

The emphasis is on participation, learning and developing skills, having fun whilst training and enjoying the opportunity to play both competitive and friendly matches during the outdoor season.  With over a hundred junior members, we run 7 age groups All Stars Cricket (5-8yrs), U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19. In 2019 we entered 8 teams into the Winchester Warriors District League and Cup competitions as well as a number of friendly fixtures to ensure that as many players as possible experienced the game situation.

Whilst we have yet to establish dedicated girls cricket teams at Sparsholt we encourage girls to join in our age groups, and they are eligible to play in mixed team matches. We have a handful of girls already playing in the U9 and U11 squads, and almost 50% of our All Stars players are girls.

At the end of each season, our most talented players are nominated to trial for RPC / County squads, and if successful includes winter coaching and a chance to play representive cricket in the following summer season. In 2019, we nominated 22 junior players for trials, and 14 were successfully invited to join RPC / County winter squads.

The Club has achieved Club Mark status ever since its inception. We aim to ensure a continued high standard of coaching and enjoy the support of lots of parents as coaching assistants/ scorers etc.  Our overseas player and members of the senior sides like to support as often as possible. The welfare, safety of players and enjoyment of the game are our priority.

Outdoor training usually commences in late April and the junior section season runs until the end of school term in late July. We try to maximise use of the facilities at the Lock’s Lane ground at Sparsholt (we have cricket of some sort there most days in the summer months!),  but occasionally we also hire the facilities at Princes Mead School and occasional use of the cricket pitch at Crawley.  Indicative training evenings and match days are set out in the respective 'Meet our Team' pages of this site, but you are encouraged to check detailed arrangements with individual Age Group Managers / Coaches.

In addition to our outdoor season we arrange indoor pre-season training during the Spring term. For many years we have also entered teams in the District indoor six a side league over the winter which provides the opportunity for U9, U11, U13 players to continue enjoying their cricket during the winter months.

Many of our U15 players regularly play for the Senior Club sides in Saturday league games or Sunday friendly fixtures, gaining confidence and encouragement to continue their cricket beyond the junior ranks. The junior to senior transition is really important to us as a club, and we work very hard to suppport the players to find the right level where they can continue to enjoy the game.

Whether you are new to cricket or seeking a friendly junior section in which to develop and enjoy your cricket, we look forward to welcoming you to Sparsholt Cricket Club.

Jim Ley

Youth Chairman