Kia and Surrey Cricket Foundation (SCF) came together to offer the Kia ‘Best Seats in the House’ to Blindly Heath CC for Surrey’s record-breaking game against Glamorgan at The Kia Oval on Tuesday, celebrating the impact of the club on the grassroots of the sport.
Blindley Heath CC, put forward for recognition by the Surrey Cricket Foundation, are a village cricket club who have existed for over 100 years, but the Covid-19 pandemic brought many hardships upon them, as it did for multiple other local clubs across the county and the country.
Slowly but steadily, they’ve been able to put in positive strides and make important progress to secure their long-term future in the post-pandemic world. The financial support from Tandridge Council as well as management and administration guidance from SCF has served as a key helping hand for Blindley Heath CC.
Since last winter, the village club have worked towards widening the competitive cricket opportunities that they can provide to their members alongside improving the training and coaching assistance available to their players.
For the first time in their history, they’ve entered the Surrey Slam and are also considering joining the Saturday League soon. Another first for the club is running the ECB All Stars cricket programme this year, with the hope of using it as a springboard for starting a Junior section.
Four members from Blindley Heath CC have attended coach education courses and are now qualified as Foundation One coaches. With these additions under their banner, the club are optimistic that their All Stars participants will have greater chances of transitioning into age-group cricket.
Throughout the Vitality Blast, Kia and Surrey have been offering fans an exclusive opportunity to witness the thrilling cricketing action from the ‘Best Seats in the House’. Whilst sitting on a cosy sofa, with a fridge full of drinks, a pitch-side view, and food served to the seats, supporters are guaranteed to have a brilliant day out at The Kia Oval from these seats.
Ian Britton, the Club and Fixture Secretary at Blindley Heath CC, said: “It was through Surrey Cricket Foundation, we entered into the competition because we’re a grassroots club that have shown that we’re trying to progress our team and our club to try and attract new members and try and improve it for future.”
Chris Sander, Sunday Captain at Blindley Heath CC, said: “Today has been excellent! We have had a really good tour where you see all around the ground. We’ve got to see the museum, so it was really great and then we had a great game today!”
“I just want to say thank you to Paul Ruby from SCF and Kia for getting us the tickets. I have had an excellent time. It’s been really enjoyable.”
