Sports Update

Our Ref at the Paris World Games

Sedgefield was represented at the 4th Paris World Games, in the form of young up-and-coming football referee Joseph Dredge. At these games, youngsters aged 10-19 from around the world compete in sports including football, rugby and basketball.

135 referees from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe, officiated at games featuring 33 different nations. Joseph refereed in 10 highly competitive matches, involving teams from Brazil, France, India, Canada and others. Free food and travel expenses were given to referees for their hard work, and the miles they travelled across Paris. Joseph comments: “Some days were very long, and in 30 degree heat it was physically and mentally draining. On one of the days I left my hotel at 10am and didn’t return until 8pm. My highlight was being the fourth official for the U11 final under the Eiffel Tower.

“The scenery and occasion is something I will always treasure, along with the people I met, whether they were referees, observers, players or locals. I would strongly encourage anyone to become a referee because the support you get from Durham FA is phenomenal and there are so many great opportunities like the Paris World Games. I’d like to thank Sedgefield Referee’s Association and Sedgefield Village Games for sponsoring me and enabling me to go to the Paris World Games.”

Since his return, Joseph has continued to focus on developing his refereeing experience and is hard at work in the new football season. He has already been allocated a tie to officiate at during the early stages of the Women’s FA Cup.

Athletics

The Sedgefield Serpentine. Sedgefield Harriers host their biggest race of the year on Sunday 16th September. Starting and finishing at the cricket club, the Serpentine follows an attractive route taking in Hardwick Park and the countryside between Sedgefield and Bishop Middleham. The race is staged with generous sponsorship from Parsons Containers, Greig Cavey Commercial and Start Fitness, and with support from many volunteers. Suitable for all abilities, it is a well-established and popular event on the summer race calendar, attracting some of the best club athletes in the region.

Entry in advance is £10 for club runners and £12 for un-attached runners, plus £2 extra on the day (subject to the event not having reached capacity). Info at www.sedgefieldharriers.co.uk/sedgefield-serpentine.

Call-out to Youth Teams

If you fancy boosting your club’s profile, our reporter, Tony Magee is offering to report on some of your matches. Call Tony on 07837 114 271.

Cricket

A nail-biting finish to the senior season seems assured, as both first and second teams approach their final games with genuine promotion prospects. After making their way to the league summit in early August, the 1st XI hope to have clung on to a promotion spot when they play their last game at home to Northallerton on 8th September. Meanwhile, in order to go up, the 2nd XI will probably need to complete the league double over runaway leaders Saltburn on 1st September, before wrapping up their campaign the following week. Congratulations to the under 13 team who have showed the old ’uns how it’s done by wrapping up their league title in style. With some u11 players contributing to their success, the future looks bright for the burgeoning brigade of Sedgefield juniors.

The re-arranged Ladies Day Festival is on Sunday 16th September from 2-5pm. Ladies signing up can claim their free glass of Prosecco and scones, in this event supported by Durham CCC. Keep up to date with Sedgefield Cricket Club (including Ladies Day registration details and bar opening hours) by liking the club’s Facebook page or following it on Twitter.

Squash

Sedgefield Squash Club is raring to go in 2018-19 squash season, with Inter-club team matches beginning in late September. The men’s and women’s first teams look to build on last season’s strong showing in their respective Premier Divisions of the Durham & Cleveland Leagues. After the madcap Blitz competition, members’ next chance for silverware comes in the team handicap which begins in mid-September. Players have a chance to play opponents of similar standard, with plenty of biased, friendly encouragement from the balcony! Internal leagues resume this month, and membership fee discounts can be won by the season’s most successful points accumulators. More on results next month.

Junior coaching resumes on Saturday 8th September, and on Sunday 9th September the focus is on match play at the Junior Club Afternoon. Coaching is available for all standards for both juniors and adults. Info at www.sedgefieldsquashclub.co.uk.

If existing members have forgotten to pay their 2018-19 subscriptions, the hammer will fall on online court booking access on 15th September. Membership enquiries and emails confirming subs payments should go to Sue Smith at curlietailz@aol.com.