Volunteers from communities across England and Wales turned out in their thousands to roll up their sleeves at their local club as part of NatWest CricketForce last weekend.
This year’s instalment of the annual programme, which is designed to ensure clubs and grounds are ready for the upcoming season, saw 2,166 clubs take part.
With approximately 50,000 volunteers taking part, including 175 at showcase club Dymock CC in Gloucestershire, 60 at Happisburgh CC in Norfolk and 100 at Bedford CC, people power was very much the order of the weekend.
Lots of clubs took to social media to share their CricketForce stories. Here’s a small taste of what unfolded:
Well done to all clubs that took part in #NWCF at the weekend. #Volunteers #CricketFamily RT @LCBCandL @ECB_cricket pic.twitter.com/NOOzFgmJ9k
— Lancs Cricket Board (@LancsCB) April 4, 2016
An oldie but a goodie; many hands really do make light work.
Thank you to all those who helped with Cricketforce, lots of hands meant lots of work done. We’re very fortunate to have such help #NWCF
— Wadebridge CC (@wadebridge_cc) April 3, 2016
Even England’s World T20 final against West Indies didn’t distract from the jobs at hand.
Disappointed to lose the #WT20Final but amazing CricketForce weekend, well done everyone #NWCF @ChiswickCricket
— ChiswickCricketClub (@ChiswickCricket) April 3, 2016
Clubs badly affected by storms Desmond and Eva over the winter were also transformed by the CricketForce activities.
Great progress this weekend #NWCF #CricketForce #cricketfamily #thankyou #volunteers #floodrecovery #Cumbriaisopen pic.twitter.com/nQnqDKbZxa
— Carlisle CC (@carlislecricket) April 3, 2016
Every single hour volunteered made a huge contribution.
Congratulations to all #volunteers #NWCF2016 #nwcf now relax! Massive difference made by 500 hours of time! pic.twitter.com/69n06xON22
— Codsall Cricket Club (@CodsallCricket) April 3, 2016
Proud of my #village club @CodsallCricket 500 hrs of volunteer time all weekend #nwcf I only shouted once! #diva chair prerogative #cricket
— Vicky Green (@Vicky_Green1) April 3, 2016
Wow what a day at the club for cricket force!! Club pulling together and the results are crazy #nwcf pic.twitter.com/zIJ0H20oo2
— Hailsham CC (@HailshamCC) April 2, 2016
Community spirit was to the fore as people of all ages and roles turned out to support their local club.
A massive THANK YOU to all those that turned up for #CricketForce today.#NWCF From 5 year olds to 89 years olds!… https://t.co/36nq2HNQ91
— Banstead CC (@Banstead_CC) April 2, 2016
Fantastic turnout for #NWCF today, 30+ seniors, ladies team, juniors, parents and committee members all represented! Thank you all!
— Vernon Carus CC (@VernonCaruscc) 2 April 2016
The final word goes to England Test captain, Alastair Cook, who sums up how invaluable CricketForce volunteer support is to clubs.
50,000 volunteers turned out to help their local club during #NWCF 2016. From us and Alastair, thank you to all ⭐⭐https://t.co/wUQP01I7IK
— ECB (@ECB_cricket) April 4, 2016
Source: ECB