This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so please read carefully, consider and then get back to me with any questions you may have.
When; Provisional dates are Wednesday 1st July to Wednesday 22nd July 2020. These are the dates I expect us to leave Napier Airport and arrive back in Napier. This is to ensure we have 3 weekends in Kent. If you can’t manage all three weeks we can negotiate to change individual flight dates.
Who : Ideally this is open to any cricketers who play for any senior team (Premiers, Seniors, 2nd Division, 3rd Division and Women XIs). As the accommodation is in comfortable cabins with kitchens, showers and sleeping for up to 6 people then it is ideal for groups of players or a family group.
Cost ; Based on flight (about $3000), accommodation, transport to and from Heathrow Airport and two self-drive vans for the tour I expect this package to cost around $4000. Food, beverages, days out and evening entertainment should be added to this but our experience is that the clubs we play will feed us well on the day of the game and I am sure Messrs Hilton and Cotter will ensure that St Lawrence and Highland Court CC will organise club night/parties on at least 2 of the weekends we are there.
Itinerary ; Ideally we will have 17 to 20 players of mixed ability. We will hopefully play approximately 10 games (some of which will be mid-week 4pm starts and of a shorter form) against a variety of standards of team on a selection of lovely Kent cricket grounds. It would also be nice to have at least one ‘Marquee Game’, probably against St Lawrence where we put out our top team from the tour squad. (on this occasion I can bat lower down the order).
If there is sufficient interest, numbers and time I am happy to organise trips to Leeds Castle, Dover Castle or Lords Cricket Ground which were all on the school tour itinerary. Groups may wish to undertake their own day trips and hire cars or catch a train to London. I am sure Messrs Cotter and Hilton will organise evening trips to the Pubs and Clubs of Canterbury for the over 18s at the weekend.
Accommodation; As stated above the cabins are in a village called Kingsdown on the south Kent Coast 3 miles from Deal and 6 miles from Dover, 12 miles from St Lawrence and Highlancd Court CC and 16 miles from the beautiful city of Canterbury. The village contains 3 excellent pubs which do great food and have a full range of local and continental beers. The site we stay on has an indoor heated pool (apparently out of action at the moment) and a tennis court and is a 2 minute walk to the beach with access to an excellent coastal path for runners and walkers. Have a look at the website https://www.kingsdownholidayhomes.co.uk/property-selection.html
What Next? For this tour to take place we need sufficient players to commit to the tour so please spread the word around to anyone who you think may be interested who is probably not looking at the club website or facebook page at the moment. I can’t enquire about flight prices or book accommodation until 12 months before the tour. I will start looking at the itinerary and fixtures in October. At this stage I just need you to acknowledge you are interested and a possible tourist. Please let me know if you are thinking of bringing a family or group. I will probably ask for a deposit at the beginning of August.
Exciting times and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Andy Reeves
Chairman HNCC
reeves.a@talk21.com