Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

Hethersett Athletic and Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club have had county-wide success, whilst Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club have found themselves mixing and beating the best at both county, regional and national level.

The cricket club is celebrating one of its most successful seasons in its long and colourful 147 year history.

The 2007 season has just ended with the first eleven winning the Knights Norfolk League Division Two, the second eleven winning Division Seven and the thirds finishing a very creditable fourth in Division Ten. The Sunday side won the Mid Norfolk Sunday League Division Two Title and finished runners-up in the Broke Knockout Cup.

The midweek 20-20 team were runners-up in the Wensum Cup and reached the semi-finals of the prestigious Bernard Matthews Cup.

There was also good news on the youth cricket front with a number of youngsters making it into the club’s main sides. On top of this the Under-15s finished third in the South Norfolk Community League and the club’s Under-11s competed in the Norfolk Alliance for the first time.

The club certainly won’t be resting on its laurels, however, with Norfolk Alliance cricket the ultimate goal.

“The 2008 season promises to be an exciting year for the club with the emphasis very much on a push towards the Norfolk Alliance. The first team will be playing in Division One of the Norfolk League and the seconds in Division Five. The club is always on the lookout for new players and I would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who would like to join for our 2008 campaign,” said club secretary Richard Ellis who can be contacted on 01508 470795

Hethersett Hawks have been flying the cycle speedway banner far and wide and picking up British titles on the way.

The club’s Under-16 team have taken no fewer than four major titles – recently adding the British championship to the Norfolk, East Anglian and South-East titles.

The club also has Norfolk champions in Dave Martin at senior level and Jazz Abbott at Under-19 and Under-16. Jazz also reached the semi-finals of the World Junior Championships and narrowly missed a place in the final. In addition the club’s senior side finished as runners-up in the Norfolk and Suffolk League.

“While our main aim has always been to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience sport — our members currently range from ages 5 to 57 and both sexes — it gives the whole club a buzz when we get success on the track and for village youngsters to beat the best of Norwich, Ipswich and Leicester is a great achievement," said club secretary Mel Perkins.

In football, Hethersett Athletic has just kicked off the new season with 15 teams covering both sexes and all ages.

The club is one of only a handful in Norfolk to hold the prestigious Community Charter standard. Last season the men’s first team finished runners-up in the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division.

The ladies team won the Eastern Region Division One East and this season are competing against the cream of East Anglian teams in the Premier Division.

Last season also saw the Under-11 Girls team win the Norfolk Women’s and Girls League Under-11 title and the Under-9B side take the South Norfolk Youth League Plate competition.

“Hethersett Athletic is delighted to be able to contribute and be part of a very successful sporting village,” said club chairman Peter Steward.

Chair of Hethersett Parish Council Charlotte Land has underlined the importance of sport in the village:

“All our sports clubs enable local people the opportunity to take part in sport and become part of a team. It is important to remember that the success of these clubs relies on the dedication and hard work of committed individuals and their families. Hethersett is a thriving and vibrant village. May our
sports clubs remain an important part of our community, “ she said.