REJUVENATED York Civil Service Cricket Club are building for the future with a thriving new junior section.

The club were threatened with extinction when their Boroughbridge Road base was sold more than a decade ago, but they are now established at the Outgang in Heslington.

Upgrades to the facilities have given club officials the confidence to put some roots down at the ground, starting with junior coaching sessions.

The junior section is aimed at boys and girls from school Year 2 to Year 5, including youngsters who have never previously played cricket. With support from Yorkshire Cricket Board coach Joe Ashdown, officials believe they have started something “special” for the club.

Richard Wells, first team skipper and leader of the initiative, said: “We have attracted some really enthusiastic under-9s from all over York. The coaches have put a real focus on the youngsters having fun while learning new skills that will allow them to play competitive cricket, thereby building a future for our club. We have now reached capacity but, if anybody else is interested, we will start a waiting list and try to expand the capacity.”

The club plan to start playing competitive games against other more established cricket clubs.

Chairman Simon Desborough said: “We know Clifton Alliance, Acomb and Dunnington have well run, established junior sections that are the bedrock of their clubs. We aspire to reach those standards and are really keen to succeed.”