Dartford Cricket Club celebrated its young cricketers on Friday 9 October, bringing together junior players, families and coaches to recognise a season of achievement and look ahead to the club’s historic 300th anniversary in 2027.

The ceremony welcomed Club Chairman Harry Bright and Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford. They joined Surge Singh Birring, coach and Chairman of Cricket for both juniors and seniors, Head Coach Ron Turner and the wider junior coaching team to present awards and recognise the players’ contributions throughout the season.

It was an opportunity to celebrate outstanding performances alongside the effort and commitment that help young cricketers develop, with recognition across the age groups.

A season worth celebrating

The U15 A team’s Division 1 championship was a standout achievement. Both U13 B and U13 C finished runners-up in their respective divisions, while the U14s reached their cup final and the U12s reached the quarter-finals.

There was plenty to celebrate among the younger players, too. Dartford’s own U11 softball festival produced a memorable run to the final, where one of the club’s teams narrowly missed out in a Super Over.

The season also welcomed more than 40 children through All Stars and Dynamos, while over 90 children enrolled in the Sunday development programme. These sessions continue to give children in the community a chance to discover cricket and build their confidence.

Our 2026 team award winners

Congratulations to every player recognised in this year’s team awards:

U11 B

  • Batting award: Nabhanju Pandey

  • Bowling award: Mohammed

  • All-rounder award: Arthur Golding

U11 A

  • Batting award: Ahaan Roy

  • Bowling award: Jiyansh Madaan

  • All-rounder award: MS Naqi

U13 C

  • Batting award: Vivaansh Pradhan

  • Bowling award: James Lawrence

  • All-rounder award: Avanish Lolla

U13 B

  • Batting award: Arnav Kulthe

  • Bowling award: Kabir Soneja

  • All-rounder award: Sarvesh

U13 A

  • Batting award: Arav Shah

  • Bowling award: Vihaan Sahu

  • All-rounder award: Priyank Kamble

U15 B

  • Batting award: Shreyas

  • Bowling award: Mayank

  • All-rounder award: Arnav Kulthe

U15 A

  • Batting award: Pranit

  • Bowling award: Priyank Kamble

  • All-rounder award: Samarth

U17

  • Batting award: Aayan

  • Bowling award: Priyank Kamble

  • All-rounder award: Dinesh Jeyarooban

The annual honours

The evening also recognised the winners of five annual junior trophies:

  • Ayaan Bashiruddin — Les Knapp Trophy: recognising an U17 player in his final year who has made a major contribution throughout his time in the Colts. Ayaan’s season included 784 runs and 48 wickets.

  • Priyank — Eric Wells Trophy, Young Player of the Year: selected by the junior committee, with the trophy awarded at the Senior Club Dinner. His remarkable season included 82 wickets.

  • Arnav Kulthe — Len Russell Trophy, Outstanding Young Colt: awarded to a player aged U13 or younger. Arnav recorded 607 runs at an average of 43.

  • Jack Parker — Harry Bright Trophy: the club’s “Triple AAA” award for Attitude, Appearance and Ability. Jack’s season included 761 runs, 14 catches and seven stumpings.

  • Toshani Swami — Surge Singh Trophy, Outstanding Female Player of the Year: recognising a season that included 511 runs and 17 wickets.

Special performances, lasting memories

Individual moments of excellence earned further recognition:

  • Kabir Soneja: five wickets in a match, recognised in the U13 C special performance awards.

  • Dawood Ali and Harsha: special fielding awards for U13 A.

  • Sarvesh: a hat-trick for U15 B.

  • Pranit: his first league century for the club.

  • Samarth: a special fielding and catching award, recognised within the U17 awards and for his contributions across U15, U17 and senior cricket.

Samarth also received congratulations for representing Kent U14s in the MCC final at Lord’s. Kent won the match, with Samarth bowling three overs for just six runs: a wonderful achievement and a memorable moment in his season.

Thank you to the people behind the players

The club’s junior programme depends on coaches, managers and volunteers who give their time throughout the year. Their work creates opportunities for children to learn, play matches and enjoy being part of Dartford Cricket Club.

A special thank-you goes to Ron Turner, who provided the trophies and personally engraved them. Thanks also go to every parent and guardian who supported the players throughout the season.

ClubOS: please check your access before next season

The evening included the announcement that ClubOS will be used for the junior section next season, with the platform also supporting this winter’s training programme.

ClubOS brings together matches, availability, notifications, payments, club news, events and bookings in one place.

All junior parents and guardians are asked to double-check that their ClubOS access is working. Please make sure you can sign in and access your junior’s details.

If you need help, visit www.cluboss.co.uk, click the WhatsApp support button, and ask the team to help you get your access sorted.

With the club’s 300th anniversary approaching, there is plenty to look forward to. Congratulations to all our award winners, and thank you to everyone who helped make 2026 a season to celebrate.