by Tracy Poulsom | Nov 24, 2022 | Sponsors and Affiliates
Sissinghurst Cricket Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, affiliates and individuals who have generously contributed towards the club this past season. Without your support we would not be able to function as a Club nor would we be able to achieve the level of coaching enjoyed by all our junior members.
A special thanks to all the companies and individuals who have specifically sponsored The Project Nets fund raise which will allow us the construct two fully enclosed net cages for the start of the 2023 season.
A range of sponsorship packages will be available soon for the 2023 season and we do hope you will all once again join us in supporting Sissinghurst Cricket Club.
by Tracy Poulsom | Nov 24, 2022 | Club History
The Sissinghurst CC currently runs two Senior sides on a Saturday playing in the Kent County Village League and a Sunday side playing friendly games in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. In 2023 a new midweek side playing in a Hundred competition against local teams is also being launched.
In addition, The Club has an active Junior Section providing cricket for both Boys and Girls from Under 9 to Under 18 competing in a variety of League, Cup and Festival competitions as well as representing the Senior Section as appropriate.
More information on both our Senior and Junior Sections can be found in following the links on the website.
The History of Sissinghurst Cricket Club
The earliest documented game played by a Sissinghurst CC XI in 1903 versus our old adversaries Staplehurst CC. The club played on various fields around the village before finding a home on the Jubilee Field next to the Village Hall in the early 1930’s, which was not ideal due to a footpath running through the playing area. A fact that a local woman, Mrs Belowney, took full advantage of by insisting on using during matches. However, after the King’s passing in 1936 the Cricket Club capitalised on the King George’s Field Foundation set up to commemorate his death and financed the move to our current ground, the King George V Field.
Unsurprisingly very little cricket was played during the war, but stories of the legendary Everton striker Dixie Dean scoring lots of goals in a services football match at the ground have been told. After the war the club went from strength to strength winning the Courier Cup three times in a row with one outstanding cricketer Ron Bailey from this period going on to represent Kent on several occasions.
The late 1970’s saw the event of league cricket and Sissinghurst CC, along with several other familiar clubs formed the West Kent League going on to win the league twice in the 1980’s with further wins of the Courier Cup & Dave Clark Trophy in the midweek competitions. The Club operated with one team on a Saturday and Sunday, with a Sunday Second XI playing a handful of games in the late 80’s.
In 1989 Sissinghurst CC left the West Kent League and were one of eight founder members of the KCVL, which now comprises over 40 clubs and over 70 teams. A Saturday Second XI came into being with both First & Second XI’s having success over the years, most notably the First XI winning the KCVL Division 1 title in 1997.
The field adjoining the King George V Field was purchased in the 1990’s with the help of club members and the ground was extended to its current state. The pavilion has also had several extensions over the years, with the old pavilion still located at the bottom of the ground having survived a couple of moves!
The Club started its Junior Section in 2005, It has grown to become one of the best supported and most successful in the County over recent years.
by Tracy Poulsom | Oct 20, 2022 | Boot Fairs Primary
Key Information and Event Dates 2025
The Sissinghurst Cricket Club Boot Fairs are one of the most popular, in Kent, amongst both buyers and sellers with pitches often booked out well ahead of the summer dates.
Run by volunteers from the Cricket Club, the Fairs are one of the most important events when it comes to raising funds for the Club. There are refreshments and toilets available on site so you will have everything you require to stroll around the interesting cross section of stalls.
Please keep an eye out on the Sissinghurst Cricket Club website www.sissinghurstcricketclub.org.uk for updates and any possible cancellations due to inclement weather.
The 2025 the provisional Boot Fair dates are:
- Monday 5th May
- Monday 26th May
- Sunday 13th July
- Sunday 10th August
- Sunday 14th September
Stall holders looking to book at pitch should call, well in advance, to avoid disappointment. The number to call is:
01580 714 419
For general information or weather updates, if you are unable to access the Sissinghurst Cricket Club website www.sissinghurstcricketclub.org.uk you can also call:
01580 714 419
Stall holders should arrive between 0600 and 0700 on the day of the Boot Fair. The gates will open for the General Public from 0730.
Car Parking is provided free of charge.
by Tracy Poulsom | Aug 3, 2022 | Seniors Primary
A Warm Welcome to the 2025 Senior Season
A very warm welcome to returning and new members to the Sissinghurst Cricket Club 2025 senior season.
Unlike last year we have had some decent pre-season weather which will hopefully allow the season to start on time. Pre-season nets have been running at Sutton Valence School since January, so we are looking forward to hitting the ground running when the season starts in April.
We are delighted that Phil Browning (Saturday 1st XI), Jamie Rix (Saturday 2nd XI) and Jon Agar (Sunday XI) have all agreed to continue as Captains this season. It really does make a huge difference to managing all aspects of getting three sides out each weekend when there is continuity from one season to the next. The Club and the Committee extend their very grateful thanks and support.
We will again be fielding three sides over the season. The two Saturday sides will once again be playing in the Kent Village Leagues whilst the Sunday XI will provide a more relaxed but competitive opportunity for those not wishing to participate in the League environment or for those looking for some additional cricket over and above League matches.
As always, we will continue to provide opportunities for our more advanced juniors to play senior cricket for the Club. This is a hugely important part of both our existence and growth as a Club as well as the development of our juniors as cricketers. We are very lucky to have one of the most outstanding Junior Sections in Kent and thanks go to all those that give up so much of their time to make it just that.
We remain a social Club. This season we have introduced a simpler approach to our annual membership fees, removing, for our full-time members, the need to pay match subs and introducing an Associate Part time membership which allows those not wanting to play regularly to participate in a reduced number of matches on and as and when basis on the payment of a match fee. With Full Membership will also come a social membership for family members not wishing to play but who may wish to enjoy the Club’s facilities. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Club either watching some cricket and/or participating in what we hope will be a full social calendar over the season.
Of course, all of this is not possible without the huge work done by our team of volunteers. My thanks go to Digger, Mike, Jon (x2), Amanda, Jackie, Steve, Antonia and all the Committee members who give so much of their time to the benefit of others.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank all our Sponsors for their continued support. Special thanks go to JM Finn, TN17 Food and Wine and Benenden School for signing up for a further three years as our match kit sponsors. The financial support, of all our sponsors, is not just hugely appreciated but goes a long way to allowing the Club to function as it does.
Here’s to an enjoyable and successful season.
Simon Latham – Chairman of Sissinghurst Cricket Club
by Tracy Poulsom | Aug 3, 2022 | Juniors Primary, Sponsors and Affiliates
Welcome to the Sissinghurst Cricket Club Junior Section. We run a comprehensive hardball and softball cricket programme for boys and girls from Under 9 to Under 18 which is fully accredited by the ECB.
Established some ten years ago we now have over 150 junior members. All our age groups are managed and coached by ECB qualified and DBS compliant coaches which creates a real consistency to our programme through a player’s informative years.
Pre-season nets, for our boys and girls hardball cricketers from Under 11’s to Under 18’s, usually start in late January on a Sunday evening at Benenden School sports hall. The outdoor season commences in late April with Sunday morning coaching sessions and a full programme of League, Cup and Festival cricket for both our boys and girls. All our older members are encouraged to participate in our Senior teams on either a Saturday or a Sunday.
Our coaches and administrative teams are all volunteers who give up a huge amount of their free time to make our Junior Section one of the best in Kent. We are fully inclusive and try our very best to offer cricket to all levels of ability. That being said we are hugely proud of all our members who achieve Area and County level representation and make no excuses for the fact that our teams play in competitive League and Cup competitions.
Full information on our Mission Statement, Core Values and Membership etc can be found in the links below.
Please enquire, by email, for availability before completing the Membership Form.
Lewis Clift – Head of Junior Cricket at Sissinghurst Cricket Club
A Review of the 2025 Junior Season – Our Biggest Season Yet!
What a year it’s been! The 2025 season has been our biggest yet — and we really mean biggest.
We had 180 juniors involved across 16 teams in the Weald of Kent Junior Cricket League and Cup competitions. Things started back in the winter with training at Benenden School, before moving in April to our superb home facilities — complete with artificial nets and pitches prepared by our brilliant grounds team.
This summer alone, we played over 60 junior fixtures, with more than half of them hosted right here at home. The section has grown again this year, with the addition of:
- An Under 7 team
- Two extra girls’ teams
- A full complement of Under 15 boys
In total, 11 squads trained regularly, nine teams played weekly matches, and all of this was made possible thanks to our 24 dedicated coaches.
On-Field Highlights
There were plenty of moments to celebrate this summer, including:
- 🏆 Our U11 boys winning the Incrediball League.
- 🏏 Our U11 girls reaching the League Final Play-off, narrowly losing on Finals Day.
- 🏏 Our U13 boys securing a place in the Cup Final, losing the closest game by the barest of margins, wicket count back.
- 🏏 Our U13 girls representing the Weald of Kent League in the Kent Finals.
We’ve also had a fantastic number of SCC juniors playing representative cricket this year — a real sign of the excellent work happening across the club. A special congratulations goes to those who have progressed into the regional pathway group — we can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
Thank Yous
A season this big only happens because of the incredible support around the club.
Our Coaches
A huge thank you to our 24 coaches whose commitment, knowledge, and enthusiasm make everything possible. Special mentions go to:
- Ben Stinton – for leading the girls’ game with such passion.
- Giles Robinson & Giles Kennedy – for tireless work with their teams and organising events.
- Daryl Lloyd – for outstanding behind-the-scenes support as Membership Secretary.
Parents & Volunteers
From car boot sales to match registrations and running the bar, our parents and supporters have been amazing. A particular thank you goes to:
- Jackie Winner – our events secretary and all-round volunteer hero.
- Amanda Agar – for her huge contribution across safeguarding, coaching inductions, and committee work. Amanda, you are truly a club legend.
Grounds Team
Our grounds team remain the heartbeat of the club. With over 60 years of service between them, they give their time freely to produce the superb pitches our juniors play on every week. Thank you to Mike Burgess, Graham White, and Jonathan Gurr — your work makes everything possible.
Looking Ahead
2025 has been our biggest and best season yet — but we’re not stopping here. With the passion of our players, coaches, parents, and supporters, we’re already excited for an even bigger 2026.
Thank you to everyone who has played a part in making this year so special.
