About Us
A lack of cricket can drive a man to do the most desperate of things – like start a team and build your own hi-tech indoor cricket net on top of your factory in Chiba. This is exactly what founder, patron and first club captain, Mr. Hasib Rehman, did in 2003, thus establishing the ‘Ichihara Cricket Club’. The inaugural season saw us finish with an unspectacular record of 0-3, but as they say, “from little things, big things grow”. Over the years the club has grown and evolved, becoming the ‘Ichihara Sharks’ in 2005, and, from season 2009, the ‘Chiba Sharks Cricket Club’. We are a diverse bunch sharing the goals, highs, and lows of playing cricket in Japan, but above all, enjoying ourselves. Alas, we no longer have our wonderful indoor net facilities in Goi, but we organize trainings instead at an indoor facility in nearby Kashiwa. Like our namesake, the shark, the Chiba Sharks Cricket Club only moves forward.
Matches
The Chiba Sharks Cricket Club mainly play in two competitions, the Japan Cricket League (JCL) and the T20 Japan Cup (JC). In previous seasons we have also played in the Kanto Cricket League (KCL) but our busy schedule has not permitted this for 2011. Our season runs roughly between early April and the end of August, with finals through the following month. The JCL has two divisions with about 6 teams in each, and we play in Division 1. For the JC, teams are split into two groups of about 4 with the top teams facing off for the finals. JCL and JC matches are played at Fuji and Sano. KCL and some friendly matches are played at Ageo and Yokohama.
Indoor Cricket: We also usually participate in a Winter League six-a-side competition in Kashiwa, Chiba.
Club Achievements
2011
JCL Championship Division 1 Grand Final vs Sano CC at Sano, Tochigi - RUNNER UP
Chiba Cup vs University XI at Hasunuma Oval, Chiba - WINNER
Winter Indoor League - RUNNER UP
2010
Chiba Cup vs Japan All-Stars (University) at Togane Arena, Chiba - MATCH DRAWN
JCL Championship Division 1 Grand Final vs Tokyo Wombats at Sano, Tochigi - WINNER
Winter Indoor Cricket League - SEMI FINALIST
2009
Japan Cup vs Giants at Fuji, Shizuoka - RUNNER UP
Winter Indoor Cricket League - SEMI FINALIST
2008
JCL Championship Div. 1 Plate Final vs Universities Cricket Club at Fuji, Shizuoka - WINNER
Winter Indoor Cricket League - QUARTER FINALIST
Membership
The Club has diversified membership options. For full fees and conditions please see the PDF file below:
Constitution
The club expects its members to abide by certain codes of conduct while representing the Chiba Sharks. These codes and other matters such as selection policy and officers’ responsibilities can be found in the PDF file below:
Training
We organize practices on (usually) Saturday afternoon-evenings at a rented indoor facility in Kashiwa, Chiba. Costs are subsidized in part by the club and the remaining costs are shared by the participants (normally about JPY500 each for the 3 hours). Practice dates are announced on the website and email. We are also on the lookout for other training venues.
Equipment
We have a ‘team kit’ of pads, bats, gloves etc., however players eventually assemble (and may share) some of their own equipment. We can advise you on how to purchase items from overseas. Chiba Sharks Cricket Club has its own shirt (see picture) and cap which full members are expected to buy for around JPY4000.
We have spare shirts available for players who want to play in a match to see what the club and cricket in Japan is all about but are not yet ready to become full members. Players are expected to provide their own whites.
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How to Join
Please Email us at chibasharksinfo@gmail.com for details on how to join or if you have any other queries.