Locks Heath Cricket Club

Locks Heath Cricket Club (LHCC) has received a further £1,000 grant from ExxonMobil as part of its Volunteer Involvement Programme (VIP).

The award is support for a contribution made to local youth sport orchestrated by Bob Hughes, who works for ExxonMobil at Fawley and whose sons, James, 16, and William, 10, play for LHCC in the men’s and U11 sides respectively. 

Bob, who manages the U11 team, successfully applied for a grant from the company’s VIP in 2007 and 2008. The Programme recognises the contributions of time and energy made to local community groups and is open to ExxonMobil employees and their families. James, who qualified as an ECB level 1 coach in spring, works with younger players for several training sessions each week. 

“I carried on as U11 manager because I enjoyed managing the U9s previously,” said Bob, “and wanted to see how they progressed on moving up to the next level, when the game changes. They are a talented and committed group of youngsters – plus I receive excellent parental support with scoring and umpiring.” 

LHCC will use the ExxonMobil funding for a mixture of repairs to the nets at the Warsash Road grounds and to help with equipment costs for the U16s, who conclude their time as Colts when the club travels to Jersey on tour in July to compete against three local teams. 

With players ranging from U9 to U16 (U15 for leagues) and three men’s teams, the highly successful club has South East Hants district players at every age level.

Club chairman Jeremy Wilkinson said: “We are tremendously grateful for this further funding and the hard work put in by Bob and James in running the U11 side and encouraging the young players who will be our next generation.”