Cricket has a unique ability to connect communities and improve lives. It is a sport that transcends generations and has the ability to reach beyond social boundaries in a way that few others sports can.
As part of making a positive difference to our society, we are working with organisations that support causes on which cricket can have the greatest impact.
The aims are to double the number of volunteers in the game; create a game-wide approach to Trusts and Foundations through the cricket network; develop a new wave of officials and community coaches; and increase participation in disability cricket.
“Clubs don’t survive without volunteers”
Amy Carnwell – volunteer and community coach at Oakamoor CC, Staffordshire. Young Volunteer of the Year, 2018 NatWest Outstanding Service of Cricket Awards
“Why are volunteers important to a cricket club? Because it doesn’t survive without them. You wouldn’t get 22 players on those pitches every week without volunteers. Our head groundsman working 20 hours a week, our secretary who also cooks and cleans, the new netting area that was built, all our coaching … it’s all done by volunteers.
“As a kid, I was always coached by volunteers. My fondest memories as a child are playing down there. I started playing cricket when I was eight and I was the only girl. That I was able to play with a bunch of boys and not be treated differently came from the coaches.
“As I got older, I wanted to give something back. When I was about 16 I did my ECB Level 1 coaching badge and got the opportunity to coach kids as part of that. I was coaching and playing up until 2016 when I snapped my cruciate ligament. The silver lining is that it coincided with the Women’s World Cup win in 2017 and more women getting into cricket, so I pushed for a girls’ team, starting with softball cricket.
“We’re a small rural club but we’re a big part of our community. No one gets paid for anything, but that’s not what it’s about. We do it for the love of the game and to ensure we are there for the community.”