Sussex lend helping hand

27 March 2007

Sussex stars will do their bit for the community when NatWest CricketForce gets under way on Saturday.

Captain Chris Adams, England internationals Michael Yardy and Matt Prior and coach Mark Robinson have teamed up with Bells Yew Green CC in East Sussex to help kick-start the event.

The biggest volunteering event in British sport, NatWest CricketForce is expected to see 80,000 volunteers across the country working to improve the facilities at their local clubs on the weekend of March 31-April 1.

In 2006 over 1,000 clubs and 70,000 volunteers took part, realising the equivalent of £25million of investment in grassroots cricket.

Chris Adams is among those supporting Bells Yew Green

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The event encourages supporters and their friends and families to give something back to their club by volunteering to undertake major renovations to clubhouses and grounds.

Not only are Sussex players offering their services, but all 36 of the clubs in Sussex that have registered for NatWest CricketForce will receive 50 free tickets to the NatWest Pro40 day/night game against Northants at Hove on August 31.

In addition, all the players, staff and committee members have committed to getting out and supporting clubs over the weekend.

Twenty clubs, spanning the depth and breadth of Sussex, will receive a visit from up to seven players and staff for half a day over the weekend to help them with their pre-season preparations.

Bells Yew Green have spent 18 months building a new pavilion to replace their ‘portakabin’, and they are using NatWest CricketForce to finish off the pavilion and surrounds in time for the start of the season.