HALES held their 53rd annual meeting at the Jubilee Hall, Loddon.Club chairman Pete Dye congratulated the first team on a third successive championship, which will see the club play in Alliance Division Two next season but recognised the overall developing of the club both on and off the field.

HALES held their 53rd annual meeting at the Jubilee Hall, Loddon.

Club chairman Pete Dye congratulated the first team on a third successive championship, which will see the club play in Alliance Division Two next season but recognised the overall developing of the club both on and off the field.

The club ran the Cricket Foundation Chance 2 Shine programme for a second year, providing coaching in schools around the local area as well as running teams at U10, 11, 13, 15 and 17 level and a Colts side in the Norfolk League.

Hales' new ground has its square laid and will be ready for the 2010 season, with funding and grants in process with the ECB, Charitable Trusts, Norfolk Youth Fund and South Norfolk District Council - a facility fitting of the abundance of young players within the club is almost achieved.

As a club Hales has run a full-structured youth programme since 1995, which has seen the rise in standard of the first team, that team contains seven under 19 players who all started in the Colts side, who require the backing of a facility to continue their development and progression in the sport.

Dye took this opportunity to thank club president Sir Nicholas Bacon, who has supported the club in what will be the most exciting and outstanding achievement in its 53-year history.

Hales CC had a strong investment in youth and that will always be the case, they have a great group of players, so he was delighted their ambitions and potential will be fully realised.

Thanks was given to outgoing treasurer Carole Claxton who has given the club excellent commitment which is needed throughout the club as the club pushes ahead for the 2010 new venture.

Officers elected were president Sir Nicholas Bacon, chairman Pete Dye, vice chairman Steve Claxton, secretary Carl Pitcher, treasurer Trevor Squire, manager of youth Pete Dye, bar manager Jon Vale, club captain Jon Vale, first team captain Steve Rowe, A-team captain Aaron Jones, Colts captain Chris Ayre, honorary score Roger Chubbock, press officer Milton Lindsay, welfare officer Paul Bassingwaighte, head coach Steve Rowe, head youth coach Jon Vale, new ground project manager Pete Dye, minutes secretary Dan Andersen, groundsman S Claxton, asstistant groundsman M Lovick.

For 2010 the club will be entering the Carter Cup with Bradenham providing the first test in another new venture for the club.

If you want to play or get involved with the club in any way email Pete on petehalescc@btinternet.com