Clarke and Gatting launch 2008

ECB chairman Giles Clarke

To view the full domestic season launch presentation at Lord's on ECBtv click here

ECB chairman Giles Clarke and managing director cricket partnerships Mike Gatting have stated at the launch of the 2008 domestic season at Lord’s how pleased they are with participation levels and the success of the NatWest CricketForce initiative.

2008 attracted a record 1375 clubs which is 225 up on last year for the event that took place over the weekend.

Gatting told ECBtv: “There has been a 27 per cent increase in participation during the year across the board and I have to say having been out watching and participating in the NatWest CrickeForce weekend it was great to see people getting involved at places like Farsley, Raymond Illingworth’s club, Hertford and East Cardiff, where we saw a club being brought back to life after six years.

"This has all been done through volunteers and we have around 85,000 of them who are involved at grass roots level, 1350 clubs have taken part and over 35-40 million pounds has been donated in kind to help renovate these clubs to encourage people to come down and participate.

Clarke added: "The 40 million pounds provided by sponsors headed by NatWest has been outstanding and the efforts of people has been heart-warming to see.

"I went on Saturday along with Gat to the Lisvane cricket club in Cardiff and 250 people were transforming a derelict cricket field into a brand new facility with a new pavilion and all-weather nets. There are now going to be eleven different age-group sides playing there."