On The Vine - Pre Season Begins

Hello All, 

A small message to announce some exciting news, players and fixtures for the 2025 season.

Following a successful round of Junior and Senior winter nets for the Mens and Womens sections we are nearing the start of another busy cricket season. Between all the cups, leagues and smash fixtures we have an exciting schedule on the Vine for the summer months. 

News from the Junior section is that the club is delighted to announce the addition of Richard Wood. Coming from South Africa Richard will take over as head of coaching for the Junior section and will work closely with Director of Junior Cricket Karl Pearson. His expertise and experience I am sure will be welcomed by all age groups and cricketers and he will be available for private coaching throughout the summer months. 

Another exciting addition to the Juniors section will be the Summer courses, dates to follow and you can expect plenty of cricket and games down at Orchard Field in 2025.

Our Women’s 1st XI following their promotion into the Kent Premier League will be on full display at the Vine and we look forward to hosting these matches at the club. The women’s section continues to grow under Susie Wilson-Rowe and the 1st XI’s promotion has attracted a number of new signings including several junior county players who look set to strengthen both the batting and bowling departments and along with our impressive array of home grown talent we look forward to seeing the 1st XI hold their own in the premier league. This season the Women’s 2nd XI are looking to establish themselves in their second season in the Kent Development League and look set to do so with improved strength and depth across the women’s teams.

In the Men's section the club are again extremely proud to announce the signing of Nick Compton. Nick an ex England international and Test Cricketer will be bringing a wealth of knowledge and his own competitive nature to the senior members and the First Team. Even more exciting given his relation to our very own Kent opening bat Ben Compton who has begun the County Championship in fine form along with our other Kent Professional George Garrett whom we look forward to seeing in Vine colours again this summer and last but certainly not least our very own VP Zak Crawley. We are incredibly grateful to be associated with our professionals. 

Returning for a second season as the first XI overseas professional is Bradley Hope. Hopey comes off the back of another season of Shield and List A cricket for Tasmania in Australia. A highlight being his 111 vs Victoria in October of 2024. Brad will be available for private coaching this summer and again will form part of our renewed Junior coaching team for 2025 and we cannot wait to have him return.

The senior squads have increased and our 4th XI will be entering in the league. This is the first time in a number of years we have had this many teams out showing the support and depth currently at the club. All fixtures have been announced and are soon to be released on the club website. Men's senior nets will be held on a Wednesday night at Orchard Field and we welcome all new members.

Thanks

Luke Schlemmer

SVCC Club Captain