NatWest CricketForce at Hambledon Cricket Club

NatWest CricketForce is a nationwide initiative designed to help local cricket clubs improve facilities with the assistance of volunteers. NatWest CricketForce takes place on the weekend of 5th and 6th April.  This year in excess of 1350 clubs have register to take part in the event.   Over 85 000 volunteers will be participating in this weekend events, making it the largest sporting volunteer campaign in the country.

Hampshire Cricket showed its support by assisting enthusiastic volunteers at the historic Hambledon Cricket Club.  On Friday 4th nearly all staff left The Rose Bowl to spend the day participating in a range of renovation projects. Hampshire staff were joined by the Hampshire players, club volunteers and members of the local community.  Redevelopment projects are taking place over the entire weekend to ensure the ground is ready for the start of the season and equipped with new and improved facilities to be enjoyed in years to come.   

Hambledon CC has been selected as an England Cricket Board Showcase club, one of only five clubs in the UK, and the first one in Hampshire to receive such an honour. 

Founded in 1750, Hambledon CC is the place where cricket began in its truest form, developing the laws of modern-day cricket. Last September, the club was devastated by an electrical fire which damaged much of the club house.  In preparation for the NatWest CricketForce Showcase weekend a new temporary Pavilion has been erected and there are plenty of projects to keep volunteers busy.

On Friday the range of activities included: painting the exterior of the new Pavilion, cleaning and painting of sight screens, painting the new changing rooms, out buildings and umpire's hut, clearing hedges and copses around the ground, erecting new fencing, laying the foundations for a new patio outside the new Pavilion.  But the day was about far more than hard work! 

Over 50 children were enjoying the sunshine and took part in a number activities organised by Hampshire Cricket Board Community Coaches and club coaches.  The players coordinated net practice and one to one tuition for the youngsters in the morning.  After lunch the players lined up for an autograph signing session, signing bats, shirts, caps and anything else the junior cricket fans had brought along.  In the afternoon a Kwik Cricket tournament took place on the pitch. 

The fun and activities continue on Saturday 5th April.  The ECB roadshow will the focus cricketing activity with volunteers welcome to come to Hambledon CC to join in the fun.  Hampshire captain Dimi Mascarenhas will be joining clubs supporters on Saturday’s Showcase event.

Come to Hambledon Cricket Club and enjoy a fantastic event. 
Hambledon Cricket Club, Ridge Meadow, Brook Lane, Hambledon, Hampshire PO7 4TF

Hampshire Cricket Board Development Manager, Ben Thompson commended Hambeldon CC for their preparation for NatWest CricketForce:

“Hambledon CC have done a great job in getting so many club volunteers and local businesses involved.  In particular Chris de Mellow and David Mills, who have been the driving force behind the project and have put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this event.
 
Hopefully the work done by all involved will leave the club in a great position for the future and help the club recover from the fire damage to their pavilion.”

Hambeldon CC Honorary Secretary Chris de Mellow commented:

“Hambledon Cricket Club has been delighted with the response from local businesses and very grateful of the support received from Hampshire Cricket for this NatWest CricketForce weekend.  It is hoped that everyone's endeavour's will leave a lasting legacy for the club in the future.”

Hambledon CC Chairman David Mills added:

“It couldn’t have gone better today, the weather is wonderful and there has been an enthusiastic work force with all the Hampshire players and well over fifty children all involved.  Everyone has done fabulous work to prepare the club for the start of the season.  Hambledon CC ended the season on a low last year with the club house gutted by fire, but this is the perfect start to the new season.  I’d like to thank everyone involved.”

The following organisations have supported the NatWest CricketForce Showcase at Hambeldon CC.

Wickes donated a new kitchen to be installed in the new Pavilion.

Marstons ‘The Official Beer of England’ provided refreshments for NatWest CricketForce volunteers.

Buchannan’s Marquees have supplied a marquee, table and chairs for the weekend.

ACE Lift-a-Way provided temporary toilet facilities at the ground.

The following list of organisations have supplied specially discounted materials for the project:

AVL Electrics, Brewers, Circuit Supply Ltd, Dulux Decorator Stores, Finest Scaffolding, Lift and Shift, Jackson Fencing, ICI, Osborne, Passmore, Ralls Group, Waterlooville Carpets, Wolsley Build Center/Drain Center and Wickes.

 Read more about NatWestCricketForce

Hambledon Cricket Club website

Gathering outside the new Pavilion

Hampshire Players autograph session

NatWest Bank volunteers pose with several players

New First XI player Benny Howell decorates with the assistance of a club volunteer 

Liam Dawson whitens the sightscreens

 Sean Ervine paints in style

Club volunteers don't rest on the bench

Iain Brunnschweiler (Assistant First XI Coach) stacks twigs

Hampshire Cricket Directors Stuart Robertson, Derek Bennet and David Mann lay patio foundations

Hampshire Head Groundman Nigel Gray and Hambeldon CC Chairman David Mills

Hambeldon CC Honorary Secretary Chris de Mellow with recovered items from the old club house

Chris de Mellow and David Mills receive a signed Hampshire shirt for their fundraising auction

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