Paintbrushes and toolboxes replaced bats and balls at cricket clubs around Wales, as volunteers from the clubs and their local communities spruced up facilities ahead of the new season.
A record 100 Welsh clubs took part in the NatWest CricketForce weekend, completing an estimated £100,000 worth of improvements to their grounds.
At Newport Fugitives CC, Glamorgan stars John Glover and Andrew Salter joined more than 40 volunteers, who helped build a new patio area, painted the pavilion and picket fence, installed new and renovated existing bench seating, and installed a new mobile cage at the Rogerstone ground.
Roy Emmott, Newport Fugitives’ CricketForce coordinator, said: “’This weekend is vital to getting the club ready for the season. We’re delighted with the turnout and the amount that we’ve managed to achieve in a relatively short space of time at limited cost to the club. I’d like to thank Cricket Wales, Glamorgan Cricket, Newport City Council Street Scene, Jewsons, all our sponsors and the local community for their help – it makes a huge difference”.
Peter Hybart, CEO of Cricket Wales, added: “NatWest CricketForce helps cricket clubs to get ready for the new season by inspiring club members and the local community to lend a hand. The contribution of the voluntary workforce is huge, and our clubs have risen to the challenge this year.
“We’ve seen a 20% increase on registrations over 2013, with clubs the length and breadth of Wales getting involved.”
Martyn Wilson, Senior Sponsorship Manager at NatWest, said: “NatWest CricketForce supports clubs that survive on limited funding and every year more and more volunteers, local businesses and NatWest staff give up their time to help out their local cricket club for the benefit of the wider community.”
Cricket Wales is the national governing body for junior and recreational senior cricket in Wales. It
works closely with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, which governs the men’s professional game. For
information visit www.cricketwales.org.uk
