I was lucky enough to have time one week day in July (of year 6) to be able to go watch the Under 11s cricket play cicket against a South London Catholic School. Due to their Cathedral commitments, the boys don't always get to complete full matches which is a great shame as so many of them love to play (in the summer term as they're using every spare minute in the school playground for knockabouts).
The Head of Games has always encouraged us parents to go along and watch if the opportunity arises, and it did. Of course it reminded me of my school days.
The team (day boys and Choristers) were accompanied by the sports master, a gap and the Director of music (not sure if he was just helping out of if this was an official duty but at my school sports teachers always had to double up).
Very nice to be invited to join in the warm up and fielding exercices. The DOM made me feel very welcome and this single inclusive act transformed my experience from being a mere spectating Dad to being part of the squad; well that how it made me feel and I'll ever forget that.
I'm not sure how these things are worked out but there did seem to be one or two older boys in our team, or at least bigger, much bigger in fact than the opposition. We smashed them. William took a couple of wickets in the first over and many of the Choristers had fine spells of attacking bowling.
It was a very special afternoon and I felt very privilaged to be there to see the win. Tom even took a good catch at mid wicket.
So if you're ever able to go along to a match or a tournament, do. It's great fun, you get to see the boys in another light and who knows, maybe the next Cookie?