11 Plus Exams Forum

We are having a dilemma over what is needed for summer sports at STR. It says you need cricket whites, but DS has said he won't be playing cricket, maybe kwik cricket, but not full cricket. He didn't play rugby during the winter; basketball, badminton and various other sports instead, so we are concerned about forking out for full cricket stuff to find it is not needed. I'd there anyone out there who can advise?

Hi there.

I wouldn't bother buying any extra kit, until you see how seriously your DS takes his cricket. I imagine anyone in a team would need the proper clothes; but my two have managed to get to Y10 and Y8 without needing "cricket whites" as such. I send them in white kit (T-shirt, shorts, trainers - maybe a pair of white jogging bottoms if they have them) and there have been no complaints so far.

I'm amazed your DS didn't play rugby in the winter! I thought that was definitely non-negotiable!

Sports direct:

White trousers £9
White cricket top £8
Box (essential) £1.50

The hat, gloves, spikes can follow if he takes it up as a game, until then they will probably share hats and gloves and bats, and just make sure his trainers are ok for running on grass, as sliding over is v uncool!

Nice game for spectators cricket...most clubs stock pimms!

If he's left handed check they have LH gloves .... many schools seem to forget they need different gloves.

My favourite sport - nice warm evening, sound of leather on willow, drink in one hand, scoring equipment in the other ... heavenly

He started playing rugby, but the minute the weather turned his group were brought inside and played sports inside. They boys who continued playing rugby were those who were involved in the teams, he did think it was funny when they were cold, wet and muddy and he was warm and dry.

He can't commit to playing sport on a Saturday as he has dancing lessons, which he wouldn't miss for anything. So he is in the bottom sports group and don't appear to focus on any one sport. It's a bit annoying for him as he is actually not bad at sport and enjoys rugby and was looking forward to cricket, but he has been unable to try out for cricket.

Thanks for saying he can get away without proper cricket kit, makes life easier.

MedievalBabe wrote:He started playing rugby, but the minute the weather turned his group were brought inside and played sports inside.

Please, Miss, is there still time to move to Gloucestershire before September? The school DS2 is going to will have him out doing laps of the field in the snow in singlet and shorts, let alone playing rugby in a relatively cissy long-sleeved top . Tracksuit bottoms are an optional extra on the kit list, the games staff to advise when the wearing of said item is deemed appropriate. In 5 years at the school, DS1 was never once advised that this occasion had arisen..

On the subject of cricket whites if you're looking for cricket gear I can highly recommend a cricket shop. They are in the old England's Glory factory opposite JDR Karting on Bristol Road. Fantastic service, good prices and tolerant of the mother who didn't know if her mostly left handed boy bowled right or left handed...

And they make and repair bats too.

I'm pretty sure my boy played cricket in his 'white kit' some weeks at STRS last year. Village cricket practice during the week and matches at the weekend meant kit was frequently in the wrong place.

RedVelvet wrote:I'm pretty sure my boy played cricket in his 'white kit' some weeks at STRS last year. Village cricket practice during the week and matches at the weekend meant kit was frequently in the wrong place.

Yes...been there done that Me adamantly saying they could jolly well remember their white trainers from their school pe kit every Wednesday night, finally failed so many times and I tired so much of hassling the poor school caretaker to let them run in and get them after hours, that I relented and bought a second set, all be it cheapy ones, just for home.

Toady, our gs boys are not tracky bottom wearers either; the coaches do liberally spray any frost victims with deep heat though, ds1 regularly comes home stinking of the stuff! Only when the sports field turned into lakes this year for several months, did the lads get any variation, or indoor training.

ToadMum wrote:

MedievalBabe wrote:He started playing rugby, but the minute the weather turned his group were brought inside and played sports inside.

Please, Miss, is there still time to move to Gloucestershire before September? The school DS2 is going to will have him out doing laps of the field in the snow in singlet and shorts, let alone playing rugby in a relatively cissy long-sleeved top . Tracksuit bottoms are an optional extra on the kit list, the games staff to advise when the wearing of said item is deemed appropriate. In 5 years at the school, DS1 was never once advised that this occasion had arisen..

Tommies have obviously gone soft, it used to be outside whatever...