Littlehampton Cricket Club
A long-established club at the heart of local sport
Littlehampton Cricket Club is one of the oldest and most active sporting organisations in the town, with a history stretching back well over a century. The club fields multiple teams in the Sussex cricket league structure, provides coaching and playing opportunities for juniors and serves as a social hub for its members and supporters throughout the season.
The club's ground is one of the most pleasant places to spend a summer afternoon in Littlehampton. The grass square is maintained to a high standard by dedicated groundsmen and volunteers, and the outfield provides the green, level surface that cricket demands. The pavilion, the traditional heart of any cricket club, provides changing rooms, a tea room, a bar and a viewing area from which to watch the game. The atmosphere during a Saturday afternoon match, with the sound of bat on ball, the murmur of spectators and the rituals of the tea interval, is quintessentially English.
The senior teams compete in the Sussex Cricket League, a structured competition that encompasses clubs across the county in divisions ranked by ability. The first team represents the club's highest standard of play, while the second and lower teams provide competitive cricket for players of all abilities. The league programme runs from April to September, with matches played on Saturdays, Sundays and, for some teams, on midweek evenings.
Junior cricket is a priority for the club, with coaching sessions and age-group teams introducing children to the game from a young age. The club's qualified coaches run sessions during the summer, using the club's facilities and the school holiday periods to maximise participation. Junior cricket develops not only the technical skills of batting, bowling and fielding but also the values of teamwork, fair play and respect for opponents that are central to the game's culture.
Social events complement the on-field activity, with quizzes, dinners, fundraisers and end-of-season presentations bringing the membership together throughout the year. The social side of the club is important for retention and recruitment, providing reasons to visit the club beyond the playing commitments and creating the sense of belonging that encourages long-term membership.
The club relies on a combination of membership subscriptions, match fees, bar income, fundraising and sponsorship to fund its operations. The cost of maintaining a cricket ground, equipping teams, paying league fees and insuring players and premises is significant, and the financial management of the club is a year-round concern for the committee. Sponsorship from local businesses provides vital additional income, and the relationship between the club and its sponsors is one of mutual benefit, with the businesses gaining visibility in the community and the club gaining the funds it needs to operate.
Anyone interested in playing cricket at any level, from complete beginner to experienced club cricketer, is welcome to contact the club. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, and the club actively seeks new members to strengthen its teams and ensure the future of cricket in Littlehampton.
The club also participates in cup competitions and friendly matches against clubs from across the region, and occasional touring sides from further afield visit to play against Littlehampton.