Sibton in great shape thanks to CricketForce
Sibton Park CC will start the new season in the best possible shape thanks to their volunteer efforts for NatWest CricketForce 2006.
Instead of the usual pre-season drudgery for the few usual suspects, a phone rally of the membership database saw 45 people turn up to smash through the job-list at the Kent club.
"We all did a bit and had a bit of fun too," said chairman, Gary Towse. "I'm absolutely delighted with the response and we'll be doing this every year from now on."
Tom Guy, Sibton's CricketForce organiser, said: "This isn't just a sneaky way of getting a lot of work done for free. It's also a great way of bringing the club together at the start of the season when people haven't been in touch for a while and creating a sense of community.
“It shows how much work goes into running a club like Sibton and also helps the regular volunteers feel appreciated and recognised.”
Some of the younger players on the Saturday morning shift were begging their parents to let them come back in the afternoon. The many hands made light work and the many juniors there cast fresh eyes on how these jobs have been done in the past, sometimes with transforming results.
Lacing up the nets, for example: "Second XI keeper John Osborne and Under 15 fast bowler Jack Vickery invented a sort of human sewing machine which was absolutely brilliant! There's no end to what you can learn from young people if you're willing to give them a go," said Dave Davey, Sibton's Junior Player Manager.
A lot of it was very hard work and the club is eager to thank anybody who turned up and cut grass, strimmed, laboured, painted, sieved soil, wheelbarrowed, danced up and down ladders and contributed to the weekend.
The results are significant. This year, with help of sponsors Adastra, Sportsmatch, KCC and Awards for All, Sibton will start the season with all the junior and senior sides having had indoor training in the winter.
There are new covers, a new scorebox with electronic control, a mobile net, newly re-laid nets fitted out with new hardwearing netting. The pavilion woodwork has all been repainted, the toilets inside refurbished and given new coats of paint, there's finally an area of concrete hardstanding between the scorebox and the pavilion and all the benches have been re-oiled and spruced up.
Mike Leadbetter, Sibton's CWO and Clubmark contact is very happy with the club's position: "A bit of investment, a little support and some time spent harnessing the sources of funding available can go a long way to improving what clubs like Sibton can offer young people.
“There are a lot more exciting developments in the ECB pipeline and we're very grateful for the confidence that our sponsors and KCB are showing in Sibton. It's a big incentive to keep up the good work."
