THE off-season has proved to be a very busy one for Otley Cricket Club.

A new practice net facility has been established at their Cross Green ground, and the club are also welcoming the additions of four new teams - Under 15s, Walking Cricket, Over 55s and for the first time in their 100-year history, a women’s softball team.

Long on the club’s agenda has been an all-weather practice facility, with money raised from a range of fundraisers, coupled with a partnership with Total Cricket, aiding the creation of a new two-lane practice net, along with a groundsman’s shed and scoreboard.

The new net facility will allow the plethora of teams based at Cross Green the ability to train come rain, sleet or snow, and will likely prove a valuable asset for the club heading into the new Aire-Wharfe League season.

2023 also brings with it the introduction of Otley’s walking cricket sessions, which will take place in midweek during the summer months, and which are aimed to offer an outlet for men and women over the age of 55 in the local community to exercise, as well as providing a social hub for the town’s residents.

The club has also invested at the other end of the scale and will continue their partnership with Pro Coach to deliver good quality coaching for all ages.

The partnership has proven worthwhile thus far and is playing dividends with several of their Under 13s breaking through into senior cricket with the Third team during 2022 and not looking out of place.

A revitalised Under 15s team has been established for 2023, and alongside the club’s existing two Under 13, two Under 11 and two Under 9 teams, will ply their trade in the Aire Wharfe Junior Cricket League.

Alongside their new teams, Otley will continue to run the England & Wales Cricket Board’s All Stars and Dynamos programmes, aimed at introducing children aged five to 11 to the sport.

There is also history being made at Otley this season, with the club’s women set to embark upon their debut season in the West Yorkshire Ladies Softball League, following the success of last year’s cricket festival showcasing the sport at Collingham & Linton Cricket Club.

While there is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Cross Green, the club’s off-field work is not done there, with plans to extend and refurbish their clubhouse, which they hope will cement their place in the community as not just a cricket team, but as a place to socialise and meet up with like-minded people.

Otley 1st XI got their season off to a winning start with a two-wicket victory at Rawdon last Saturday.

If you are interested in joining Otley and finding out more about activities at Cross Green during the season, then contact the club on social media.