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On behalf of Members of the General Committee, Management and Staff at the Hong Kong Cricket Club, a very warm "welcome back" to all Members and their families who have been enjoying summer vacations overseas.

To those of you who remained in Hong Kong thank you for your continued support and patronage of the Club and Dot Cod since the Pinkun last went to "press" in late June.

The refurbishment works to the Ground continue as we push into September and I would very much like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude, as well as that of the Club, to our Ground Consultant, Ricky Aitken, Ground Manager, Joel Cheng, and the Ground-staff for the hours of labour and dedication that they have all put in over the period of the past five months. The Ground will look a "picture' when "Play" is called in mid-September, reaffirming HKCC as the "Lord's of Asia".

The re-provisioned Tennis Court (moved from the Ground - to the rooftop Public Car Park) has received all the necessary Government consents and approvals and will be available for the commencement of the Tennis Winter League Season by the end of September. The Chairman's Report - "From The Chair" - is to be found at left. This makes specific and timely mention of the Club's sporting plans for the coming season and of the HKCC Tour to Melbourne over the Chinese New Year period of 2011 (see also, Page 3) that will incorporate the vast majority of our Sporting Sections. Mention is also made of the Club's "hosting" of the Marylebone Cricket Club from Lord's and the Melbourne Cricket Club who will be visiting Hong Kong over the Easter period of 2011 in celebration of the Club's 160th Anniversary of its establishment in Chater Road, Central, in 1851.

I would further echo the Chairman's thanks to the Marylebone Cricket Club's representative Golfers who hosted HKCC at The Berkshire Golf Course in early August, A full report of the HKCC Golf Tour to the Home Counties in the UK is detailed in this Pinkun. I should also like to record sincere thanks to Bob Bettridge and HKCC Resident Golf Coach, Adrian Waters, for their leadership of a memorable and most enjoyable Tour.

The months of September and October will see most of our sporting teams commencing their competitive National League Competitions and we wish all participants and players every success in their various endeavours and indulgences over the coming months and into 2011.

Cricket returns to the Gap from Saturday 11th September when the HKCA Saturday League commences in earnest. Sunday League cricket for the Optimists, Scorpions and the Wanderers XIs will resume on Sunday 13th September. Junior Gappers will be taking to the "field" the following weekend and our lady "Willow Wielders" and "Cavaliers" will also be in competitive action in the early weeks of the month.

 

With the commencement of training and cricket matches on the ground, the risk of injury from "flying cricket balls" can never be over-estimated and always remains a possibility and we earnestly request therefore that MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ARE ASKED TO BE PARTICULARLY VIGILANT WHEN ANY PRACTICE OR MATCH IS IN PROGRESS AND TO WATCH CAREFULLY THE PASSAGE OF PLAY OR PRACTICE THAT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN.

CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY AND THE INFIRM ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK AND PARENTS SHOULD ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT EXPOSE THEM TO ANY DANGER RESULTING FROM ANY FORM OF CRICKET BEING PLAYED ON THE GROUND.

Over the summer months the Club has undertaken a number of other Ground and related projects. Works to other areas of the Clubhouse Building continue to be given priority with new carpeting to the Willow Room Restaurant and a significant "make-over" to the Chater Tavern Bar being commenced and completed in the period. Other redevelopment projects remain in-train and continue to be reviewed by the Redevelopment Subcommittee in consultation with the Committee as we prepare for a busy last quarter of the year.

Food and Beverage has not been forgotten and September will see new menus being introduced in the Sportsman's Bar and in the Chater Tavern.The Food and Beverage Sub-committee will also be reviewing our options at the Poolside Cafˆm and at "spinners" in order to wholly meet Member expectations as to quality of product and service standards.

The 2010/2011 Horse Racing Season comes under "starter's orders" at the Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday 5th September. The Club will again be maintaining a Box at Sha Tin and the Happy Valley Racecourse and Members are very much encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to relax and enjoy the thrilling spectacle of live racing in singular comfort that both world class venues have to offer.

In closing this set of 'Notes,' it is wonderful to be back and I very much look forward to seeing everybody at Dot Cod or at the Club over the next few weeks.

 

Nigel P. Stearns
General Manager.