Team England Player Partnership

Stars Lend a Hand at NatWest CricketForce Showcase Clubs

England stars, current, former, male and female, were on hand last month to show their support to NatWest CricketForce’s three showcase clubs, who were chosen to highlight the work of this year’s initiative.

On 30 March 2012, Chris Tremlett joined England women players, Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway, at Merstham CC in Surrey. The club was keen to refurbish their current pavilion, as well as work on a new changing room block, and tidy up their grounds in preparation for the start of the new season. The England stars, armed with paintbrushes and spades, joined club members and local volunteers and got stuck in.

Speaking at the event, England women’s Captain, Charlotte Edwards, said, “It’s important for us as England players to lend a hand at NatWest CricketForce and remember how we were all supported by our respective clubs in the early days. Quality facilities play a huge part in players’ experience of the game and can make all the difference to people staying involved. It’s fantastic to see so many clubs ensuring their facilities are welcoming to women and girls.”

On Saturday 31 March, England Lions and Lancashire batsman, Stephen Moore, fresh from victory in Abu Dhabi, headed to Heywood CC alongside David Lloyd and Mike Gatting. The weekend culminated with former England batsman, and current PCA Ambassador, Neil Fairbrother, visiting Copley CC in Yorkshire, to help the local community put the finishing touches to a new £585,000 pavilion.

NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser was introduced to encourage communities to come together to raise money for their cricket clubs through fundraising events. The initiative aims to help clubs raise money to undertake facility improvements, as well as assisting with ongoing maintenance costs. A record number of 1,938 clubs took part in this year’s three-day annual initiative.