NatWest CricketForce encourages cricket supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community cricket club by volunteering to undertake major renovations to clubhouses and grounds.
NatWest CricketForce 2008 saw 85,000 volunteers turning out on a weekend of mixed weather, bringing almost £40m in cash and kind to the game. It means that in the last three years around 235,000 volunteers have contributed time and energy to community cricket clubs.
A record 1375 clubs registered to take part in NatWest CricketForce 2008 with the chance not only to build on the success of recent years but also - on the weekend of April 4, 5 and 6th 2008 - to focus on green issues in cricket. NatWest CricketForce 2008 has a heavy emphasis on energy efficiency and helping the environment.
Each year a few clubs are selected as “Showcase Clubs” where the media is invited to see how NatWest CricketForce works. One of the Showcase Clubs this year was Hertford Cricket Club, Hertfordshire. They set themselves an ambitious target:
The old pavilion, now housing their ground maintenance equipment had been neglected for many years, and was renovated; the score box was refurbished, and sightscreens repaired and painted; fencing was installed; the pavilion was painted, they had windows replaced and internal facilities upgraded; a brick barbecue was built for future social events.
As an attraction for the colts, the NatWest Roadshow and Speed Stars bowling competition was held on the ground. However, the high spot of the day was the appearance of England cricket stars Ravi Bopara and Charlotte Edwards (above) and Former England Captain Mike Gatting who rolled up their sleeves and helped with the work. NatWest’s Managing Director Martin Bischoff was also seen working on the pavilion renovations.
A small display of turf maintenance machinery by SISIS EQUIPMENT, official supporter of NatWest CricketForce 2008, generated considerable interest from the members, and showed them what is involved in keeping a cricket ground in good shape. During the day the square was scarified in preparation for the new season with a SISIS AUTO-ROTORAKE MK 5, removing an impressive quantity of thatch, and the outfield was cut with a SISIS TEESTAR.
Groundsman Andy Blackett used the SISIS AUTO-ROTORAKE to remove 3 trailer-loads of thatch from the square
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David Leighton (ECB Club Programmes Manager) said 'The England and Wales Cricket Board are delighted with the outcome of the NatWest Cricketforce event at Hertford CC and thanked Keith Vertigan for the support from SISIS Equipment Ltd for their National support of clubs participating in NatWest CricketForce throughout 2008'.
SISIS TEESTAR (library photo)
07/04/2008
