The eleven Willows founders wanted to preserve all that was best about the game of cricket and to foster it in the coming generations. So they created a cricket ground and a cricket club to do just that.

The first match was played at The Willows on October 24th, 1994. A quarter of a century later, the club has a significant membership including present or former first class cricketers.

Of the 25 or so matches played every season, the majority are against school 1st XIs or combined school XI teams. All of which means that since that opening game against Christ’s College in 1994, more than five thousand school-age cricketers have had the chance to come and play at The Willows.

There they’ve enjoyed a ground that’s of test match proportions, impeccably tended, appointed and catered. And they’ve come up against cricketers who have played to a high level, and who are keen to pass on their love for and knowledge of the game.

The Willows is situated in Loburn, North Canterbury, but its connections stretch around the globe. There are now Willows members living in the majority of cricket playing countries.

Every year the club sponsors two young cricketers to spend a season with Matfen in Northnumberland, UK. Also the club has had  8 youth tours since 2008 to India and Sri Lanka managed by a former 1st class cricketer.

The membership is led by President, Nicholas Davidson QC and a committee to streer the club into its second quarter century. There are many plans afoot. But the fundamental purpose will not change, to maintain all the best traditions of the game of cricket and to foster them in the young.