Cumbria clubs benefit from CricketForce

13 April 2005

Workington visited by James Anderson and Matthew Hoggard for NatWest CricketForce 2005

James Anderson and Matthew Hoggard help out at Workington

Fifteen cricket clubs in Cumbria took part in NatWest CricketForce 2005, the largest ever cricket club volunteering event, and it is estimated that over £150,000 of resources, including materials and labour were invested.

New or upgraded facilities will not be the only benefit; clubs will also have raised their profile in the local community in the hope of encouraging more volunteers, junior, senior members, sponsorship and business interest.

England internationals Matthew Hoggard and James Anderson were flown by helicopter to a packed out Workington Cricket Club's ground where they took part in finishing some of the projects, signing autographs, coaching children, and endorsing NatWest CricketForce as an excellent self-help programme for clubs and the local community.

Bob Simpson, ECB Cumbria Cricket Development Officer, was delighted with the resounding success of NatWest CricketForce 2005.

He said: “The achievements of all the clubs in Cumbria that took part cannot be underestimated and I am sure that more clubs will take part in future years after seeing the success of this weekend.

“Clubs have gone out to local communities and have been rewarded with donations of materials, labour and most importantly attracted more volunteers to the club.

“Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining amateur cricket so there can be no doubting the importance of what CricketForce can do for a club."