South Wales Cricket Association
Established 1926

Chair's Message

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I usually start my address by looking back on the weather, 2024 will be no exception, for the first 3 months of the year all we had was rain, which made it very difficult for any preparation work to be carried out on grounds for the forthcoming season, we even discussed delaying the start of the season (which they decided to do in Pembrokeshire), with the last 2 weeks in April being mostly dry, the season started on time.

I have to say that whilst most Saturdays during the season were dry, there was little sunshine on offer, as a result most of the matches were played. Swansea were champions of Division 9 East & Aberystwyth champions of 9 West, Swansea Civil Service won Division 8, Cimla Division 7, Wildboar Centurions Division 6, Aberdare Division 5, the top four divisions were decided on the last Saturday of the season, Pontyberem champions of Division 4 , Morriston Division 3, Gowerton Division 2 and Carmarthen Wanderers champions of Division 1, who will replace Dafen in the Premier League for 2025. There is to be a restructure of the divisions from 3 down in 2025 with now 107 teams in 10 divisions.

The T20 finals day was held at Gorseinon at the end of August, in the first game Morriston beat Maesteg in the Intermediate Final and then Ynysygerwn beat Gorseinon in the Senior Cup, trophies were presented by Mr, Barry Cawte the new CEO of Cricket Wales. Gorseinon will represent the SWCA in the national T20 plate in 2025 following Maesteg who lost to Waltham in the south regional finals day.

The SWCA representative side played 3 matches, we firstly helped Porthcawl celebrate their 140^th Anniversary, we then beat the MCC @ Pontardulais in our annual fixture, and finally lost narrowly to Pembroke County at Cresselly.

At the 2023 AGM we reported a financial loss, we were determined to increase our turnover for this year, which we managed to do, Firstly we got a new sponsor after Peter Lynn and partners deal came to and after 6 years, We are grateful to Mr, Barry Clement of Clean Rescue for agreeing to sponsor the Association for the next 3 years, We also decided to use Dukes cricket balls for Division 1 -3 and Lords cricket balls for Division 4 and below (who gave us cash back on the sale of cricket balls) with also a small increase of subs to clubs we managed to make a profit on the year.

Every year I thank the members of the management committee firstly Secretary Steve Jones who has been in post for 18 years Treasurer Allan Winkley who has been assisted by Duncan Williams who have both kept a keen eye on our finances, Assistant Secretary Ceri Richards who has not been in the best of health but managed to carry out his duties, I want to thank Dean Thomas in his first year as umpires administrator, and Ben Roberts as our Safeguarding Officer, and also the rest of the committee, who have various roles be it with grounds, rules, disciplinary or dinner committees. Angharad Rees decided to step down from the management committee, I was most grateful for Sian Owen of Skewen for agreeing to fill the vacancy.

As I mentioned the Associations finances earlier, it was decided to hold our Presentation Dinner 2024 at the Diplomat Hotel in Felinfoel, one of the reasons being it could seat more people than the Towers Hotel, in the past we have had to turn people away as we were over subscribed, I would like thank our President for putting me in touch with our guest speaker Mr, Mark Ramprakash, also for the organising done by Duncan Williams despite being incapacitated. Individual trophies were presented to the top batter, top bowler & top wicket keeper for each division.

The Fair Play trophy for Division 2 went to Briton Ferry Steel and the Division 1 trophy went to Aberdare, we usually hold a raffle on the night, £770.00 was raised, this year all money raised was given towards the players tour fund.

So in 2025 a lot of work will be taken by the centenary committee to draw up a list of events to take place to celebrate the centenary of the Association in 2026, There is a tour planned for the middle of February that year, a squad of 18 players has been selected. A golf day was held in October and more events are planned for 2025, all profits go towards the tour fund.

Finally as you know cricket is to end at St Helens next year, I saw my first game there over 60 years ago, so if you get the chance to watch or play there next year, please do so because you will never get the chance again.

Can I remind clubs our Presentation Dinner this year is on Friday 3^rd October at the Diplomat Hotel, Felinfoel.

Can I wish all Clubs good luck for the 2025 season.

Neil Hobbs

(Hon Chair)

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