Topsham's new UKCC level-two coaches Sam Warren and Aiden Pring

TOPSHAM St James have added two extra coaches to their youth set-up for the season ahead.

When colts practice starts next Friday night (April 27), Aiden Pring and Sam Warren will be part of the coaching team.

With more than 150 boys and girls aged up to 15 playing regular and practicing on a Friday night, the coaching team needs all the expertise it can get.

Pring and Warren been at the club for more than ten years, having graduated up through the various age groups.  Both hold UKCC level-two coaching certificates and both are 1st XI regulars.

Several sessions of indoor nets for adults and older colts have taken place using the facilities at Exeter School.

Practice matches against Hatherleigh and Budleigh are planned before the start of league action in May.

Topsham St James is a community-based club catering for players of all ages and abilities. 

In addition to men’s and ladies first teams there are a Men’s 2nd XI, a Sunday team and a Midweek XI.

There are plenty of opportunities to play cricket at various levels as well as participating as a coach, junior team manager, umpire or scorer.

Clubmark accreditation - a sign of a well-run club -has been held for the past nine years.

Topsham St James have had estate agents Wilkinson Grant as their main sponsors for the past four years as they are particularly keen to help develop young cricketers.  

Adult teams are sponsored by Sidney Pratt (Builders) and support is provided by Southernhay Dental Practice and Buildbase (Exmouth).  

“Without this sponsorship and the support of all the businesses who advertise in the handbook, it would not be possible to maintain subscriptions at an affordable level or for the club to be run at the standard people have come to expect,” said club secretary Sheila Harding.

Registration of adults and colts from year two upwards takes place in the clubhouse at Bonfire Field next Monday (April 23) from 5.30-8pm.

Training nights are women on Wednesdays, men on Thursdays and colts on Fridays.

Further information on opportunities at Topsham St James can be found on the club website or by contacting club secretary Harding on 01392 876481 or 07816 665503 or sheila@courtfield4.co.uk.