With a membership of around 1,000, and with more than 550 games of cricket played each year, the work needed to run Upminster Cricket Club in the modern era is a huge task. To support this the club is lucky to have 27 volunteers who fulfil 43 positions on the club’s committee and sub-committees.

Spring is obviously a busy time for all of these people, with preparations being made for the season ahead, but during March we will be introducing you to eight of these officers as they explain the roles they play within the club. We start by catching up with Karen Burley:

What are your current roles on the Committee Karen??
I’m currently the club’s Social Secretary and Chair of Selectors for our women’s sides.

You've been doing the Social Secretary role for a few years now. What events have you got planned for this year??
Now that we have got a lovely new Pavilion to host our social events this year, I have planned a band night in May, an Elton John Tribute Act in June and an Instagram famous DJ booked to spin the decks in July!!

A Rounders Night is also on the cards again for this summer after last year’s success. We will have opening and closing season parties and finally end with the Annual Dinner and Dance at Ingrebourne Links Golf Club on 3rd October. It would be great to see as many members as possible supporting these events.

The Chair of Selectors role is new for you. How did that come about??
I was approached by the Women’s 1st and 2nd team captains last year as the position had become available. They wanted someone that knew all of the women and girls, and the dynamics of each team. Having played for both teams, attended training regularly and having a bit of knowledge of our players, I was happy to accommodate.

How did you first get involved with the club and join the committee??
Initially my husband and I joined the club as social members and shortly after that our son joined the junior section. My daughter then followed in his footsteps and joined the girls’ team. This soon led to me playing in our Windmill Whack Women’s edition so I could play alongside my daughter.

I love to organise, especially fun stuff!! All my friends know me as their “organised friend”. I sort the nights out, the weekends away, the day trips etc. When there was a Social Secretary role available I was told by quite a few people I’d be perfect, so I thought I may as well give it a go!!

You also regularly play these days. Are you looking forward to the coming season??
I am indeed!! I’m looking forward to seeing the improvement of our players and the new girls coming up to play for our women’s teams. I’m also looking forward to supporting my son in his new roles within the club this year and watching his progress (Karen’s son Ollie is the new Sunday League XI captain).

*For dates of the social events mentioned above, and to see what else the club has planned take a look here

**To see all of our committee members, captains and junior team contacts visit our contacts page