Chief Executive’s Report January 2026
This time last year I wrote about ‘interesting times’. Well, they have been and frequently not all for the good. Indeed, very little for the good. But I refuse to be cowed by events as on the cricketing front there is some good news. No, I haven’t turned Australian but am delighted to report that cricket in Hertfordshire continues to thrive.
Much of this is due to the unheralded efforts of so many in clubs, schools, communities, teams and committees. And that ignores the huge role played by parents of young boys and girls and the players that make the game so vibrant across the very successful leagues in the county. But hark, unheralded no longer.
Thank you to each and every one of you and in case any have been omitted, thank you to you as well. It is so pleasing to criss-cross the county during the summer months and see so many girls and boys, women and men playing the game. It clearly brings joy and fun to many and don’t we all need a bit of that.
A more in depth report from the Hertfordshire Cricket League (HCL) follows in the handbook so I will restrict myself here to celebrating the two male professional cricketers from the county, Troy Henry and Andrew Neal, and the astonishing ten girls who have played in Tier 2 semi-professional counties, Tier 1 professional counties and The Hundred. Yes, cricketers from Hertfordshire in The Hundred! Congratulations to Emma Jones, Bex Tyson and Charley Phillips.
As a member, I am exceedingly proud of their efforts and successes, and I hope as members that you are too and that you feel your support is valued. Trust me, it is.
Progression is never linear and there are structural concerns within the county. We are one of the fastest growing populations in the country as London expands outwards and this places immense pressure on facilities, both playing and practising. There are plans for a new sports centre at Dame Alice Owens School near Potters Bar in which cricket will feature prominently and longer term plans for a bespoke centre at Oaklands College.
Rest assured HCL is pursuing both of these with vigour and the Board of Directors, mindful of the pressures and in cahoots with the ECB, has already invested significant resources in trying to further the plans. Details will emerge slowly as they tend to with large infrastructure projects, but we are very hopeful.
Our excellent school programmes continued to be heralded by our partner Chance 2 Shine, disability cricket grew again and under the instruction of Richard Grayson a brand new Visually Impaired group started. Richard is extraordinary in his levels of energy, passion for helping people and gentlemanly decency. If any of you meet him during the year please thank him, believe me whatever you say won’t be enough.
The Hertfordshire Women’s League enjoyed its inaugural season and was considered successful and with the Womens T20 World Cup this summer, we are hopeful of attracting many more girls and women to the game. Already a women’s Over 40s side is being assembled.
The Seniors continue to grow in size and stature and enjoyed a wonderful tour to Thailand in the early winter while the Boy’s U15 and U18 age groups enjoyed trips to Sharjah and Ajman in the UAE. An U18 girl’s trip is planned for October, again to UAE so young and old in Hertfordshire are benefiting from the experiences of playing cricket overseas.
As I write this the days are lengthening, slowly, but there is the feeling that spring is coming. The sense of optimism and life that comes with it is much needed, See you across the sward in the summer.
Iain Fletcher
Detailed reports from HCL Staff can be downloaded below.
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