Derbyshire back CricketForce

10 February 2006

Derbyshire have become the first county to officially get involved with NatWest CricketForce 2006 and have pledged their support to clubs across the county on April 8-9.

NatWest 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.

Last year 665 cricket clubs across the country took part in the scheme and more than 50,000 volunteers participated, contributing an estimated £15m of investment.

This year it is hoped more clubs will get involved and Derbyshire CCC were keen to sign up and show their support.

Derbyshire chief executive Tom Sears told ecb.co.uk: “It’s a great project. It does an awful lot of good for clubs right around the country so we firmly believe it’s the right sort of project to get involved with and commit to.

“We’re very keen on trying to establish even stronger links with all the clubs in Derbyshire. At the moment we’re fostering very good links with the Premier League, the county leagues and all the clubs through various schemes and this just cements our relationship we hope.”

Derbyshire were the first county to officially sign up to NatWest CricketForce 2006 and Sears is hoping all the counties will follow their example.

He said: “We’re very proud to be the first. Obviously some counties got involved last year and we hope all 18 get behind it this year because we firmly believe in the project.”

Derbyshire will use the event to refurbish the tea room at the County Ground in Derby and the playing staff will get out and about to help local clubs fulfil their ambitions.

“The public tea bar, which is a cafe at the moment, is in desperate need of an overhaul in time for the season so we’re going to do some structural work before hand to get it ready and we’re going to fit that out ready for the summer,” explained Sears.

“Some of our lads will also be going round the county helping various projects at the clubs.

“All our lads are assigned to local Premier League clubs already so they are very familiar with the club scene in the county and some of them have obviously come up through the ranks and played for the clubs.

“It’s great that they can go back and do some good in time for the new season. The vast majority of the squad have played club cricket in this country, whether it be a village club or some of the more senior clubs, and they shouldn’t lose sight of the fact what clubs need to survive.

“Clubs rely on volunteers and an awful lot of people dedicate an awful lot of time throughout the country, so I think the least we can do is to give a weekend back to the clubs.”