Take Kent’s cricket club. Delighted to be the first university team to be crowned National Indoor Cricket champions in 2023, the club is also proud of its open door policy: ‘We’re all about bringing people together, we run men’s and women’s teams and welcome people of all abilities,’ club chairman Dan Howell told us.
National champions, though, what an achievement! Head coach Richard Durrant remembers the day: ‘It was amazing. With most of the Cricket Society coming to Lords, the “Home of Cricket”, to support us, we played in a nail-biting semi-final and final to secure the national title. We’re all very proud of what the club has achieved.
Dan was one of those who attended the finals day at Lords. He’s also enjoyed playing games for the 2s and for the 1s and gets great satisfaction captaining the 3s. ‘I work with people who are rookies and others who haven’t played for a long time, it’s great to get them involved in the club, playing matches and winning some too! When members tell me how much they’ve enjoyed it, it’s very satisfying.
Alongside teams who compete in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) events and external leagues, we run an intercollege tournament. We mix up the teams, so people of different abilities play together. It’s fun but still competitive; afterwards we head to Woody’s, our favourite bar on campus, to relax. It’s a good balance of competitive and social.
I’m proud of how inclusive and diverse the club is and that it’s home to national champions and absolute beginners.
As chairman, Dan’s keen to keep the club going from strength to strength, building on its successes both on and off the field. ‘Being chairman is a lot of work, but it’s rewarding too, I get to work with people from lots of different backgrounds and enjoy seeing our cricketing community develop.’ And as a Management student, he knows that the skills he’s gaining in leadership and organisation will look great on his CV and give him experience to draw on when he starts out on his career.
For Dan, joining a club is a good move: ‘I’d definitely recommend it, you’ll meet lots of people, it’s a break from your studies and you’ll have a great time.’
And, who knows, you could end up being a national champion!
