ECB chairman supports CricketForce in Somerset

7 April 2008

ECB chairman Giles Clarke donned some DIY gear at the weekend to support the NatWest Cricket Force activities at Claverham & Yatton CC in North Somerset.

Giles Clarke with C&Y volunteers

Armed with a long list of tasks and a warm fleece to ward off the snowy showers, Clarke rolled up his sleeves and set to work on the scoreboard and sightscreen repairs as one of 40 volunteers who contributed to the Club's NWCF weekend.

He was joined by county professional Peter Trego who helped to touch up the scoreboard and coached the children who attended.

Giles Clarke and Pete Trego with C&Y CC volunteers working on the sightscreen frame

Claverham & Yatton was one of 45 Clubs that participated in 2008 NatWest CricketForce last weekend involving thousands of volunteers and thousands of pounds worth of materials and services. Each Club that took part was given 15 free tickets to a Somerset Sunday League match this season, an initiative that Giles Clarke was keen to back when he was with the county club.

"When he was at Somerset, he was very keen to get the players involved in NatWest CricketForce and encouraged as many of the clubs as possible to participate so it was him that first created the enthusiasm in the Club," explained Andrew Moulding, cricket development officer.

"So much so that we also established a Staff Force day where all the staff, the catering, admin and playing staff get stuck into jobs at the county HQ in Taunton. Painting, cleaning windows scrubbing floors and checking all the signs, that sort of thing. It has been very successful."

"At Claverham & Yatton, he asked about junior section, and development and how they were progressing in the league and was very supportive of everything they were doing."

Andy Sutton and Arul Suppiah help out at North Newton CC

Over the weekend, various Somerset CCC players and coaches visited a number of clubs to lend their support including Andy Sutton and Arul Suppiah who went to North Newton CC, near Bridgwater where new nets and 100m section of fencing were installed along with a comprehensive works list covering electricity, hedge clipping, sightscreens in which they estimated that £5,000 worth of materials and services were supplied by local sponsors and companies.

A group of volunteers at Curry Rivel CC

Neil Edwards and West Indian spinner Omari Banks from Anguilla went to Curry Rivel CC where 20 volunteers helped with redecoration and general repairs.