Volunteering
Make a difference to your local club
Watch the Vcricket video to find out about volunteering in the game
Even for those who don't want to play the game, there are almost limitless opportunities to get involved within the game, this could be in clubs, schools, leagues or by organising cricket where you work or study.
Opportunities are endless you could be designing a club's website, maintenance of the site, writing media releases for the local press, assist in preparing the ground and wicket for the fixtures or even starting on the road to becoming the next future England coach! Or how about trying to get your colleagues or friends organised to play some fun cricket at lunch time or after work?
Volunteers are vital to the health and development of grassroots cricket. Without them, the future of the beautiful game at all levels would be in jeopardy.
You can make a difference - be involved.
Register your interest as a volunteer online now
What volunteering means to cricket
It’s fair to say that cricket could not survive without its huge army of unsung heroes. Volunteering, just to be clear, includes everyone who gives their time in some way to help the game.
It includes small gestures like websites, media, match reports or making teas at a game to more fundamental contributions of course, such as preparing the facilities, or coaching kids’ teams, which may of course include the stars of the future.
It’s no exaggeration to say that big stars like Alastair Cook, James Anderson and Stuart Broad simply wouldn’t be where they are today without the hard work of volunteers.
What volunteering means to volunteers!
Cricket volunteers do it out of love for our beautiful game. But there are other benefits too.
England Women's captain Charlotte Edwards describes volunteers as being ‘the heartbeat of any club’ and recognises their value as being ‘priceless’.
As a big supporter of the NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards), she adds “The OSCAs is a day we all look forward to in the cricketing calendar as it is really important to celebrate the hard work that volunteers have done throughout the year. Or in some cases, over many years.”
Watch our video from the NatWest OSCAs 2012 which was held at Lord's
Yorkshire and England star Jonny Bairstow also agrees. “Volunteers are so important at grassroots level. Whether it be people preparing the pitches, selecting teams or running coaching sessions, without them it wouldn’t be possible to create the teams that filter on to county and international selection.”
Volunteering is very rewarding and has great benefits for both the club and individual. If you are thinking about seeking a new job, entering university, starting a new school, working in sport or generally improving yourself, cricket clubs can provide the perfect opportunity to help you reach your goals and objectives.
The benefit to you as an individual by ‘doing your club a favour’ are extensive; please see the consider becoming a volunteer section for further inspiration!
The ECB values all the volunteers in cricket through local award presentation and the annual NatWest OSCAs event held at Lord's and the record-breaking volunteer initiative in club cricket, NatWest CricketForce.
Contacts for further information:
Get in touch with the cricket development managers at your local County Board
