Rob proud of his achievements

October 21, 2025

DEPARTING Suffolk Cricket Ltd Operations Manager Rob Jones said he is proud of the Development team he has helped to recruit over the years.

The 58-year-old has taken up a part-time role with Essex Cricket in the Community after stepping down after 15 years running Suffolk Cricket on a day-to-day basis.

He is continuing to advise Suffolk Cricket behind the scenes on a limited basis until his successor starts.

Rob (pictured above) worked in IT for many years before joining Suffolk Cricket part-time in January 2009 as a Cricket Development Officer, which included primary and secondary schools’ coaching.

He subsequently became interim Operations Manager before being permanently appointed to the post in June 2010.

Rob, who was born in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, played club cricket for Trimley CC before they folded, and then joined Felixstowe Corinthians CC before they merged with Felixstowe CC in 2015 to form Felixstowe & Corinthians CC.

He was mainly a batsman with a top-score of 114 not out versus Elmstead Market, and held most roles within those clubs including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Lead Coach, Assistant Coach, Umpire and Social Secretary.

His experience in club cricket helped prepare him for his roles in Suffolk Cricket, where he said the biggest changes he had seen were in the development of Women and Girls’ cricket and more recently cricket in Ipswich.

“The latter has seen us work with BSC Multicultural Services (a registered charity), Ipswich Borough Council, Community leaders to start and now create sustainable cricket offers in non-traditional cricketing environments in the town.

“Our work has been highly praised and I’m sure will lead to further opportunities in Ipswich and other Suffolk towns, over the coming years,” he said.

Asked what his proudest achievements has been, Rob replied: “The Development team I’ve help recruit over the years and the many successes we’ve had over that time.”

He said these have included:

  • A Performance player (girls and boys) pathway that is the envy of other counties across the country
  • Increasing the number of Clubmark accredited clubs
  • More junior (boys and girls) sections
  • Year on year increased school competition entries
  • Coaching in SEND schools
  • Developing new formats of cricket to offer greater variety
  • Improving existing or new facilities development (more recently clubs installing bore holes, solar panels to help tackle climate change)
  • Each year, maintaining and in some instances exceeding ECB requirements as part of the County Partnership Agreement (CPA) with them.

He said he will miss the Suffolk Cricket community, from the Team and Board to all the clubs, league and association volunteers and players.

“I just want to thank everyone involved in Recreational Cricket in Suffolk and beyond. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and will hopefully stay in touch with many people.

“I look forward to my new role with Essex Cricket and getting back to helping and supporting my colleagues and volunteers more,” added Rob, who started his new role on October 1st.

Suffolk Cricket Ltd Chair Nick Shrubshall said: “As Chair of Suffolk Cricket for the last ten years, I have had the unwavering support of Rob, and seen the development of cricket through his hard work and devotion to the game he loves.

“With the new role that he is taking on, Suffolk will continue to have regular dialogue with him as we look to further develop regional cricket. As a board, we wish Rob all the very best and thank him for all that he has done to place Suffolk Cricket where it is today.”

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