Warwickshire stars help out at Stratford CC

WARWICKSHIRE County Cricket Club players and staff showed their support for recreational cricket in the area last weekend as they joined volunteers at Stratford CC for NatWest CricketForce.

Fifty-three clubs participated in NatWest CricketForce across the county with the Bears’ fielding coach, Jim Troughton, joined at his former club by all-rounder Keith Barker and batsman Andy Umeed to help repair damage at Swans Nest Lane caused by the recent floods.

Warwickshire CCC chief executive, Neil Snowball, said: “We’re committed to developing the recreational game across Birmingham and Warwickshire by providing more opportunities to play and enhancing the current facilities available.

“NatWest CricketForce is a fantastic initiative that unites cricket clubs and brings together volunteers from the local community.

“Volunteering a morning or afternoon to support by painting, decorating or even providing refreshments makes a huge difference and it is great to have so many clubs across the region involved.”

Now in its 15th year, NatWest CricketForce has grown into one of the biggest sports volunteering initiatives in the country and has previously won a BT Sport Industry Award for its pioneering work in helping clubs to engage with their local communities.