England fast bowler Stuart Broad went back to his roots to champion volunteers at the heart of local cricket clubs as part of a new initiative with winemaker Hardys.
Each month this summer, the Official Wine of England Cricket will work with The Cricketer magazine to profile those individuals who are the driving force – or heartbeat – of their local club and reward them for their unstinting work with a selection of Hardys wine.
Egerton Park CC in Melton Mowbray, Broad’s first club, hosted the launch of Heartbeat of the Club, and the Notts man was reunited with David Glover – his former captain in the Egerton Park 2nd XI and the current club chairman.
Speaking about the initiative, Broad said: “I’m delighted to be helping Hardys launch their search for the heartbeats of local cricket clubs.
“Having begun my cricket journey at Egerton Park, I know first-hand the role grassroots clubs play in our game and, in particular, the value of people like David Glover, who is the driving force of the club. All clubs across the country should make sure they nominate their heartbeat via The Cricketer.”
Egerton Park Chairman Glover added: “As a chairman of a grassroots club, it’s brilliant to see Hardys championing the volunteers across the country who devote countless hours to supporting the game they love.”
Amy White, Hardys Wine Marketing Director, said: “After two successful years as a proud sponsor of English cricket, Hardys knows how fundamental the grassroots game is to the sport.
“We are very excited to be rewarding those that go above and beyond for their local team and we look forward to reading all the nominations from clubs up and down the country.”
Heartbeat of the Club is the latest in a number of initiatives to recognise and reward volunteers within and outside cricket, including the annual NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards and National Volunteers Week (1-12 June 2016).
Find out more about Heartbeat of the Club and nominate your chosen volunteer here.
Source: ECB