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Putting people first! How your club can maximise the impact of Get Set Weekend

Last year, Histon Cricket Club used Get Set Weekend to build its community, bring people together, and upskill its members. Club secretary Louise Vickers explains all…

Last year more than 1,600 cricket clubs took part in Get Set Weekend. In most cases, their efforts centred on facilities and equipment maintenance. But a pioneering Cambridgeshire club took a different approach – and reaped massive rewards for its vision.

Histon CC runs seven junior teams from U9s to U17s, including a girls’ team for U11s. It also offers All Stars cricket, four adult teams, and acts as the disability cricket hub for Cambridgeshire. But, unlike many of its competitors, it doesn’t own its facilities.

That prompted the club committee to think differently about Get Set Weekend – and it quickly saw an opportunity to attract new people and give existing members new skills.

“Lots of people, families, and sports clubs use the recreation centre and park where we’re based,” says Louise. “Plus, there are always people passing by.”

The idea was to attract as much attention as possible and garner stronger interest from the wider Histon community.

Louise adds: “We used the hall and opened up all the doors, so anyone walking past would see something going on and have their curiosity sparked. We had Get Set Weekend posters and bunting everywhere, just to catch people’s eye. And it worked. We had several people come in, ask what it was about, and then take away information for their own kids to get involved.”

Histon CC provided scorer training as part of a host of activities aimed at providing volunteers with more skills to help the club

Inside the hall, a succession of well-planned activities took place.

Cricket scorer Helen Hyde ran a workshop for any of the club’s adult members interested in learning more about the process and experience of scoring cricket. Some of the Juniors also took part. Several attendees were inspired enough to later enrol on scoring courses, giving the club a larger pool of volunteers to pull from as each season progresses.

At the same time, Histon coach Dan Vickers (supported by sponsorship from MR Cricket Hockey) delivered an invaluable bat clinic. Over several hours, he provided endless information to parents and youngsters about changing bat grips, getting the right size bat, adding new toe guards to the foot of a bat, and even how to stand and hold the bat correctly.

“It was meant to last about three hours, but Dan had so much interest that it rolled on for much longer than that,” says Louise.

Crucially, Dan also repaired several of the bats the club had been given over the years. Now, as 2025 approaches, youngsters who might face the financial barrier of securing a new bat can simply use one of the club’s excellent collection.

Histon CC coach Dan Vickers led a bat clinic during the club's Get Set Weekend event last year

“It was such a brilliant day,” says Louise. “When we had our most recent club AGM in January 2025, we were talking about this year’s Get Set Weekend. Everyone was coming up with all sorts of ideas, and the excitement was there already.”

However, Louise is adamant that every club needs to play to its specific circumstances and needs.

She says: “Whatever you’re doing for Get Set Weekend this year, whether it’s people- or facilities-focused, just encouraging members to have an active part in the development of your club is essential. Clubs will die if members aren’t committed, so just do everything you can to build up the interest and momentum.”

Tips for success!

  1. Align activities with your club’s strategic goals. “We wanted to put on activities that encouraged more people to get involved,” says Louise. “All our activities were deliberately designed around that aim.”
  2. Seek out special guests and sponsors. “Bringing in outsiders can really help to generate interest,” says Louise. “A new face is always great for extra engagement.”
  3. It’s never too early to promote your event. “We try to notify people as early as possible,” says Louise. “This year, we’ll also be working to involve the local media from the beginning.”

The Get Set Weekend, powered by The Cricket Collective, takes place on 5-6 April 2025. Register your club activity today!