With the First XI firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of the Surrey Division 2 Championship, the long-term future is very rosy, as 150 youngsters battle for places in teams ranging from the Under 9s to the Under 15s.
Under 11 team coach Richard Laudy believes the club's close links with local schools is paying rich dividends. "We have very good links with Therfield and West Ashtead Schools and Kingswood House in Epsom play all their cricket here in Ashtead."
"There are managers and qualified coaches for each age group. Training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8.00pm with matches on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings. Barbecues after matches on Friday evenings bring in the parents and are very popular."
The club is continuing to build on its club links in New Zealand. This year's overseas player Andrew Ellis has firstclass cricket experience with Canterbury, while club skipper Andrew King and fellow Kiwi Carl Anderson will also feature prominently. Promising Ashtead youngster Chris Douglas has just returned from a winter playing high-level club cricket in New Zealand.
New for this year is a Ladies XI, which already has a squad of 16 keen players, and a Youth Development Under 17 side that will play in the Dukes League with coloured clothing and white balls against the likes of premiership giants Banstead, Guildford and Cheam.
More information can be found at www.ashteadcc.co.uk
