Welcome to the 2026 season and I trust we’ve all wintered well. After the disasters of the Ashes and months of planning it’ll be great to finally get underway outside and ready for the first challenges ahead.

I return to the club for the first time since 2010 and I’m looking forward to seeing the fantastic talent that is undoubtedly there and working with you all to make EGCC the most successful side in not only the county, but one of the best in the country. As you will hear countless times, for me ambition is not a dirty word and I wouldn’t have taken on the role if that wasn’t the aim

As some of you may know already, the Director of Cricket role has been created in order to concentrate on the cricket side of things as we plan our return to the Sussex Premier League. This won’t be an easy task added to the additional aim of getting the second and third teams up to a level where they can close the gap on the sides above them.

At the top end of the club we are looking to be as serious and competitive as we can for the level below professional sport and for that to happen we are making some changes for the season ahead.

Sussex League and New Challenges

At the current time, as we are still recovering from relegations and the natural player exits that occur when you drop down a division. With the additional retirements of some successful club servants of the last few years this presents an extra problem.

Sussex Cricket have also thrown everybody a curveball by making the change of adopting a one up/one down from the Premier League. So our challenge of an instant return is now more problematic but one we can look at in two ways.

We can either sulk and feel sorry for ourselves or we can embrace the challenge and try and put a young team together with the aim of seriously challenging for promotion as well as having a decent run in all the cup competitions.

We have a really promising young side under the leadership of Oli De Havas with several exciting additions coupled with the added new recruits further strengthening the club.

Nets and Practice

One of the biggest ways we are going to improve is the way we practice. Gone are the days of having a poor ten minute net against all comers before disappearing off to the bar to go and watch whatever football appears to still be happening throughout the summer.

There are designated net sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday evening as well as the ability to work with the all the various coaches on an ad hoc basis that we now have on offer. There will also be an emphasis on fielding practice and individual work

Women and Girls

As a club we will be putting a huge emphasis on the improvement of the women’s section and the additional coaching needed in the local schools as well as at the club. Together with a winter programme we’re aiming to make a real positive step in this area.

New Additions

As some will know, I spend a few months a year in Cape Town which is an extension of playing and coaching in South Africa for many season during the mid to late 90’s. As such, I am a director of a cricket and coaching business there and we have already created a link between the All Rounder Centre and EGCC.

For 2026, we will be bringing two players over from our ranks. Beni Hansen is a first year pro at SWD and captained SA Under 19 last season against England, whilst Lukanyo Metu is a talented off spinning all rounder who plays at Cape Town CC in the WPCA 1A league. Both players have been coached and mentored by my business partner Wayne Hendricks since they were young children. We’ll all enjoy their company as well as watching them perform.

In addition, we have acquired Jack Ancil and Lucas Smith for this season. They were both working at our centre and playing for CTCC and Berglvdlt CC respectively last season and come highly recommended. Matt Richie has moved from Wisborough Green and is a powerful all rounder who spent last winter in Adelaide playing club cricket there as well as attending the Darren Lehmann Academy. We are also delighted that Alex Barker has rejoined from Roffey and we’re thrilled that a player who came through our junior ranks will have the chance to shine in our first side.

Coaching and Individual sessions.

We’re hoping that the players at all levels plus the juniors will make the most of the coaches available and use them during the week. Think about the areas you need to improve and plan your sessions accordingly. We’ll post and send out the contact numbers and details for people to book sessions

Selection Policy

This season we want to make it clear to everyone the criteria for which we select the sides. Essentially the final decisions will be made by the skippers who have to take the field with their choices but we want to make it known the things that may well go towards the choices that are made. Although it is often a thorny subject, we want to be as transparent as we can to all the players and members.

Ability, Attitude,Fitness, Attendance and application at practice and also behaviour will be taken into consideration before the sides are posted. Current form and previous performances will also go towards the skippers decisions.

The Club and first league game photographs

You’ll notice over the next few weeks that we’re making an effort to brighten up the club particularly in the bar area and around the changing rooms. Pictures, honour boards and other items will be going up and as particular thanks go out to Kristian Hunt for his tireless work in getting some of the old stats and club awards ready for presentation.

For the first matches of the season on the 2nd May we’ll be trying to have some team photographs that we’ll get on the walls asap. So make sure your kits clean, do your hair nicely, breathe in and have your picture taken for all time sake. We’ll even try to get the Chairman there to make it look all official.

If there’s anything else you need to discuss, please don’t fail to contact me

Have a great season

Stuart Simmonds
Director of Cricket