Hambledon Cricket Club

Hambledon Cricket Club, located in Waterlooville, is a historic club that was founded in 1750. Known as the “cradle of cricket,” it has a rich history and continues to be a prominent fixture in the cricket community. The club is situated at the picturesque Ridge Meadow, which has been its home since the 1780s.

Hambledon Cricket Club boasts an impressive lineup of teams and fixtures. On Saturdays, the club fields four adult league teams that participate in competitive matches. Additionally, friendly matches are played on Sundays, with occasional mid-week fixtures. The club also has a thriving youth section, with over 150 junior playing members.

Cricket coaching is provided for men, women, boys, and girls aged 6 and above, giving them the chance to represent the club in various Hampshire Leagues. Hambledon CC takes pride in its achievement of ECB Clubmark accreditation, which is the ECB's club accreditation scheme for clubs with junior sections.

The club welcomes keen players of all skill levels and encourages those interested to get in touch. They are always on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals who want to join the club and contribute to its success.

Hambledon Cricket Club also offers winter indoor net training. Starting on Sunday 7th January, training sessions will be held at Crookhorn College in Waterlooville. All age groups are welcome, including newcomers. The schedule includes separate training sessions for women and girls playing softball, as well as boys and girls under 9, 11, 13, and 15 playing hardball.

Training sessions will be organised on specified Sundays throughout January, February, and March.

During the winter indoor net training, it is important for players to bring their designated equipment, including bats, pads, gloves, boxes, helmets, and the appropriate cricket ball, based on their age group. While it is optional to wear whites for indoor training, it is essential for trainers to have non-marking soles and preferably not be black.

The cost for seniors is 5 per session, payable on the day in cash. Under 9 to Under 15 players are charged 4 per session and are requested to inform the Youth Coordinators, Ian and Theresa Pratt, via email at theresa@uwclub. Net, of their attendance prior to each session.

In addition to regular fixtures and training, Hambledon Cricket Club organises club tours. In 2024, the club has planned a tour to Devon, following the success of their previous tour. The tour is scheduled for the end of July and the first week of August, with fixtures already arranged. Accommodation has been booked at Lane Barton Leisure barn in Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery), near Bideford, and is exclusive to the club.

The barn can accommodate up to 32 people in pods of up to 4 individuals, with en-suite showers for each pod. The aim is to make the tour a whole club event, with players of all ages from the adult teams, as well as family and supporters, welcome to attend. Players under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and an ideal number of 15 to 16 players is targeted to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate in at least three matches.

Hambledon Cricket Club offers a comprehensive range of opportunities for both adults and juniors to enjoy and participate in the sport. With its rich history, beautiful grounds, and commitment to providing quality coaching and competitive fixtures, it truly is a hub for cricket enthusiasts in Waterlooville and beyond.