Natwest Cricket Force

NatWest CricketForce is an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) volunteering initiative aimed at rejuvenating the nation’s cricketing facilities. It is the largest sport volunteer based scheme in England and Wales recruiting around 85,000 people in 2010 spanning across 1,642 clubs.

Cricketforce encourages cricket supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community cricket club by volunteering to undertake major renovations to clubhouses and grounds.

Benefits

• Improves cricket facilities across Yorkshire
• Improves partnerships with local businesses and communities
• Increases involvement in cricket

Results 2010

• Yorkshire received 161 registrations for Natwest CricketForce – the highest number of clubs to register to date and in the country
• 1 National Showcase event at Scarborough Cricket Club
• 1 County Showcase event at Fishlake Cricket Club, South Yorkshire

Case Study: Scarborough Cricket Club

As Yorkshire CCC’s only remaining out-ground and the largest fixed seating ground outside of the test match arenas, Scarborough Cricket Club was one of three national showcase events in 2010. It attracted around 280 volunteers over the weekend and a host of celebrities including England and Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson, England Ladies players Jenny Gunn, Tammy Beaumont and Kathryn Brunt, former umpire Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird and ex-England Captain Mike Gatting were all at North Marine Road to lend a helping hand.

“The whole ground got a good spring clean and it was great to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds working together to restore the facilities at Scarborough CC.”

Katherine Brunt, England and Yorkshire Ladies Team Cricketer

Case Study: Hull Zingari Cricket Club

Around 50 players, parents and supporters of Hull Zingari Cricket Club attended their NatWest CricketForce event, helping out with a wide variety of jobs. They painted sightscreens, garage doors and fencing, put up practice cage netting, put together the pitch covers and generally cleaned up the whole Hull and East Riding Sports Club on Chanterlands Avenue North. They received a £500 donation and the services of 10 staff from the local NatWest branch to help Hull Zingari.

Case Study: Old Crossleyans Cricket Club

After a nervy start, the few participants who were at Old Crossleyans Cricket Club in Halifax were worried there wouldn’t be many volunteers at their event. However within a few minutes there were players, their partners, children, and junior players all set about the ground with brushes, tools and paint. Several tasks were completed over the weekend including dismantling the old covers, reconstructing a new sightscreen and repairing of the scorebox. The ground was left looking perfect for the start of the season.

“It was a sight I have never seen in my 15 years at the club, everyone mucking in, no one messing about, all pulling together to get the job done.”

Jonathan Sykes, Old Crossleyans Cricket Club