THE CRICKET WRITERS' CLUB
ESTABLISHED 1946
The club is delighted to announce that respected journalist and commentator Alison Mitchell is the new Chair of The Cricket Writers’ Club.
Alison was formally voted in at the Club’s AGM on 29th April, and in taking over from Mark Baldwin, becomes the first woman to hold the role since the club was formed in 1946.
“It’s a great honour to follow in the footsteps of those who have previously held this position at CWC,” she said. “The Club is an important and enjoyable focal point for the camaraderie that exists around the cricket media. Friends become like a second family over the years.
“Having been on the main Committee since 2015 I’m also acutely aware of the important work the CWC carries out with the help of its members on the sub-committees, liaising with the ECB and the counties on everything from media facilities to the continued support of domestic journalism, to the highly regarded Book and Men’s and Women’s Player Awards that the Club presents at its Annual Lunch.
“Mark Baldwin has done an outstanding job as Chairman and I’d like to thank him for handing over the club in a healthy position, with an enthusiastic membership. I’m keen to grow that membership further across all genres of the media, and so I encourage our members to spread the word of the club and always be on the look out to welcome new members in - particularly as we embark on a summer that embraces a Men’s World Cup, together with Men’s and Women’s Ashes. It’s going to be a busy and exciting time.”
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CWC TEAMS UP WITH ICC TO RUN WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENT SPORTS JOURNALISTS
The Cricket Writers' Club have been asked by the ICC to run workshops for student sports journalists at three venues during this year’s World Cup. Bruce Talbot has organised the workshops for CWC in conjunction with ICC and the first took place at The Oval on Tuesday, 4th June, when Lizzy Ammon and Will Macpherson conducted a Q&A session with the young journalists. One student from each workshop will attend the semi-final at Edgbaston on July 11 and write a report for the ICC website. The winner will then attend the final and win a $500 prize.
Anna Parkinson, who is studying sports journalism at the University of Lincoln, has written a piece about her experience at The Oval:
Cricket. With its fast-paced bowling, big-hitting batsmen, numerous overs and fans yelling “Howzat” in the stadium to guarantee a passionate atmosphere and experience. I’d go as far to say cricket offers more fluctuation than an action film.
You may ask why I decided to go for this opportunity. Well, what’s life if you don’t take every opportunity you can? Aside this, cricket holds a special sentiment in my family down the generations from my Great, Great Grandfather, my Grandad, to my Dad, to me. It’s a feel-good, fun sport which I’m reminded of every time I am home. Mainly because my Dad proudly displays a framed photograph of him batting in a local match on the mantlepiece.
From the perspective of an aspiring, young, female journalist it’s important to get involved with as much as possible - whether it be sport-related or not. My passion for writing and quest to get as much out of my time at the University of Lincoln encouraged me to take this opportunity.
The morning of the workshop arrived. Numerous train changes later, I found myself walking up Harleyford Road, made famous by Henry Blofeld in many Test match commentaries. With the MI6 behind me, I could see it. The Oval, a ground encompassing so much history. Typically, my Dad and I were accompanied by good old British weather. Rain.
Soon after arriving, our group was shown around the Oval. We were then taken to a press conference with none other than New Zealand Vice Capitan Tom Latham. I don’t think the term ‘star struck’ covers it.
The time came for us to embark on some work. Firstly, a quotes-based press report. A completely unknown territory. The challenge of writing up Latham’s conference as a piece of journalism filled me with apprehension. But looking out onto the iconic Oval ground ignited my determination to complete this task to the best of my ability. Before I knew it, I’d done it. My first ever press report.
Soon, it was time for lunch. Always a talking point in the commentary box at a cricket match, especially the cake. This time we had a fruit cake to enjoy before the next task.
A match report on England v Pakistan. The calm tranquillity of the Oval added to the awe-inspiring atmosphere, which encouraged me to believe in my ability. 502 words later, I’d finished.
We then had a Q&A with two industry professionals. Will Macpherson and Lizzy Ammon. Listening to the work they do was captivating, even the reality of a 17-and-a-half-hour day. Being the only girl at the workshop, it was refreshing to find that there are equal opportunities in journalism for both men and women after University.
Before I knew it, the final part of the day had arrived. A press conference with Bangladesh’s coach, Steve Rhodes. With my media accreditation proudly hanging from my neck, my phone and laptop to hand, I felt a sense of belonging. The nerves I felt when I arrived had been discarded like a pile of unwanted baggage.
Yesterday’s experience taught me a lot. Firstly, to go for it, no matter how daunting it may seem. The nerves which flooded my body like a tidal wave were far outweighed by the sensations of inspiration and enjoyment I gained throughout the whole experience. Secondly, to believe in myself - I am filled with pride when I reflect on the work I produced.
The objects of the CWC are to further the interests of those involved with the media coverage of cricket and of cricket as a whole.
The CWC will in no way endeavour to dictate policy or influence opinion in the cricket media nor have any concern with the policy of newspapers and other outlets: and at no time have any concern with the relations between employers and their staff as to who is employed.
Full Membership shall be open to all those employed full-time for not less than four months in any one calendar year in the media coverage of cricket in the United Kingdom. Honorary Life Members may be elected at the Annual General Meeting from those who have given distinguished service both to the profession of cricket writing and to the Club.
Associate Members may be elected by the Committee at any time from those engaged in writing, reporting, photographing, commentating, broadcasting and recording cricket on a part-time basis in the UK. Honorary Associate Members may be elected by the Committee at any time from distinguished former Full Members, senior touring writers, scorers of first-class counties, who may be invited, and such cricketing persons as the Committee may wish to invite.
Only Full Members and Honorary Life Members will have voting rights. Full Members and Associate Members will pay a subscription. Honorary Associate Members will be entitled to attend all meetings and functions and, if based in the United Kingdom, will receive Club mailings. Overseas Members may be elected by the Committee at any time from those engaged in writing, reporting, commentating, broadcasting and photographing cricket outside the United Kingdom and British Isles. They shall be entitled to attend all meetings and functions and may apply, by electronic mail, for all the Club's mailings.
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