Nottinghamshire Clubs Prepare For NatWest Cricket Force

Recreational clubs across Nottinghamshire will spend the weekend preparing their facilities for the dawn of a new season having harnessed the support of local businesses and an army of volunteers.

The NatWest Cricket Force scheme co-ordinates support for cricket clubs with facilities in need of upgrade and repair and seeks to speed up planned developments.

“37 clubs across Nottinghamshire have signed up to take part in NatWest Cricket Force this year and we have encouraged participation by distributing information," said Nottinghamshire Development Officer Keith Tongue.

"Recreational clubs rely on the goodwill of volunteers and alignment to a national scheme helps to secure discounts and gifts from suppliers."

Gedling Colliery CC benefitted from achieving national showcase status last year which bolstered their workforce with the presence of Nottinghamshire and England spinner Graeme Swann.

"All clubs tend to put work into their grounds at this stage of the season but NatWest Cricket Force helps clubs to increase the pace and to get more done than they ordinarily would," said Gedling Colliery CC representative Andrew Whitaker.

“Our involvement last season allowed us to complete projects that could have taken many years and although our plans are less ambitious this time around, we still plan to make several improvements to our ground.”