FEBRUARY 2011

newsletter

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2011 - OFFICIALLY OUR BEST YEAR YET!

Yes, it’s now official, NatWest CricketForce 2011 will have more registered clubs than any previous year and we still have two months to go until the launch weekend! Last year 1642 clubs took part in NatWest CricketForce and as you can see above we’re now at 1654 and counting. Thanks to you for registering and helping us to be well on our way to a target of 1800 clubs in 2011.

With two months to go there is still much you can do to ensure that your club has a fantastic event. Have you visited our website yet to discover the fantastic online resources that we have to offer? At www.ecb.co.uk/natwestcricketforce you’ll find a fantastic Step by Step Guide, Case Studies from clubs participating in previous NatWest CricketForce events, and our selection of Vital Materials including template letters to gather support, Top Tips, Health and Safety advice and posters to download. By visiting our website you can also read about all of NatWest CricketForce’s Official Supporters - a large selection of businesses and services that offer exclusive discounts and special offers to NatWest CricketForce registered clubs. Have a look now to see what savings you could be making for your club! Don’t forget that if you have any queries about NatWest CricketForce or if you need help planning your club’s event then please email us at natwestcricketforce@ecb.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

CURRENT

NUMBER OF

REGISTRANTS

In this issue…

MICHAEL VAUGHAN 2

DDC COMPETITION 3

EASYSCORE 4

AUTOGUIDE COMPETITION 5

CLIMATE COVER 6

DURANT CRICKET 7

JOHNJAC CRICKET SUPPLIES 8

If you haven’t registered yet please go to www.ecb.co.uk/natwestcricketforce and get involved and if you know any other clubs that are yet to register please give them every encouragement to do so!

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MICHAEL VAUGHAN MAKES AN EARLY START AT BASLOW CRICKET CLUB

Counting down to NatWest CricketForce 2011, former England cricket Captain and NatWest ambassador Michael Vaughan visited Baslow Cricket Club this month to find out how their preparations were coming along and also lend a hand.

“I live just over the hill from Baslow Cricket Club so it’s great to come down and find out what the club’s plans are for this year’s NatWest CricketForce,” said Vaughan.

“2011 is set up to be the biggest year yet as over 1,600 clubs have already signed up to get involved in the event. NatWest CricketForce is a great initiative for grassroots clubs like Baslow to get the whole community involved in sprucing up the club before the start of the season.”

Leading by example, Michael mucked in with some vital jobs around the club that will be familiar to all NatWest CricketForce volunteers. During the course of the day he set about painting the perimeter boards, raking the hedges and even had time to give the mower a run out across the outfield.

Michael said: “Having seen Andrew Strauss, Mike Gatting, Swanny, Charlotte Edwards and thousands of volunteers rolling up their sleeves to help out at NatWest CricketForce last year, I thought I would head down to my local club and see how their plans and preparations were shaping up for this year’s event.”

With the vast majority of cricket clubs surviving on a shoestring budget, NatWest CricketForce gives volunteers the chance to put something back into the game at grassroots level by sustaining clubs and in turn benefiting local communities. There will be more NatWest staff taking part than ever before this year, with three

showcase events at Witham CC, Bognor Regis CC and Sawley and Long Eaton CC. “Hundreds of NatWest staff and people volunteering at clubs across the country is really important because there are lots of different types of jobs that need doing to ensure a club can continue running and

provide great facilities for its players and the local community,” adds Vaughan.

“This year we hope that NatWest CricketForce will inspire more people to find out what’s happening at their local club and get involved with everything from making the teas, preparing the pitch and coaching junior teams to club administration and fundraising. There’s still time for you and your club to get involved. Whatever your skills are there is a job for everyone.”

A s p a r t o f NatWest’s long running support to ensure the sustainable development of local cricket clubs, NatWest has

produced an impartial financial guide, that can be used by everyone from Chairpersons to Treasurers, Volunteer Coordinators to Sponsorship Committees - every member, parent and player in between.

It provides practical, inspiring & informative guidance that will help you manage and boost your club’s finances, with sections on funding sources, such as grants and sponsorship and guidance on how to make the most of fundraising opportunities and harnessing the skills and dedication of your members and also takes a look at how NatWest CricketForce can benefit your club.

To download this useful guide, visit natwest.com/cricket & go to the Grassroots section.

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DULUX DECORATOR COMPETITION Once again, our friends at Dulux Decorator Centre (NatWest CricketForce Official Supporter) are offering all registered clubs the chance to get your hands on some vouchers to spend in their stores. There is a £100, £50 and £25 voucher to be won by answering the simple questions below.

1. In what year was the first international cricket match held?

a. 1892 between England and India

b. 1869 between England and Australia

c. 1883 between Australia and Wales

d. 1844 between Canada and the USA

2. A right handed spin bowler spins the ball from a right handed

batsman's off side to his leg side. How would you describe this

kind of bowling?

3. If the umpire bends one of his hands upwards and points with a

finger towards the top of his shoulder, what is he indicating

4. What is the name of the Dulux Decorator Centres Apprentice of

the Year Award 2010?

To enter the competition please send an email (subject ‘DDC Competition’) to natwestcricketforce@ecb.co.uk and include your three answers, your name and the name of your cricket club. The closing date for the competition is Friday 4th March 2011 and the winners will be announced in the next newsletter. This competition is exclusively for NatWest CricketForce 2011 registered clubs and only one entry per club is allowed. For more information on Dulux Decorator Centre please go to www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk.

OFFICIAL SUPPORTER FOCUS:

Johnson Tiles, based in Stoke on Trent, are the UK’s foremost tile manufacturer, producing wall and floor tiles, and their products are sold in continents all over the world where they are known for their high standards in quality. NatWest CricketForce registered clubs are entitled to a fantastic discount of 15% on their range of tiles and tiling products. For more information go to www.johnson-tiles.com

ECB STAFF GETTING INVOLVED Every year as well as encouraging clubs and their volunteers to get involved in NatWest CricketForce, we also do the same with our own staff. This year teams from the ECB’s Coach Education department and the Association of Cricket Officials have already signed up to volunteer at nearby clubs and so they will be at the ready with their paintbrushes and shovels to get to work on the 8th April!

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BE SAFE FOR NATWEST CRICKETFORCE Whilst it is clearly the intention of everyone taking part in NatWest CricketForce 2011 to work to the benefit of the clubs taking part and to have an enjoyable time in doing so, it is important to ensure that everyone works both safely and smartly. Safety of all participants should be considered as paramount. Clubs may have a duty of care to each of its participants and if any participant is injured, it is possible they may be able to sue the club. To reduce the likelihood of any problems for all participants and, ultimately, each club, we would suggest that each club:

1. Appoints a Project Manager who will supervise those tasks that are to be undertaken and will as-sign those tasks to the willing and most appropriate volunteers. The Project Manager should keep a record of who is assigned to a task and the experience of that person.

2. Check its current insurance policy(ies) to ensure that it has the appropriate cover to protect and cover all participants in relation to the tasks being undertaken during NatWest

CricketForce. 3. Ensures that a safety officer and/or appropriate first aid assistance is available and that medical

and first aid kits are available and fully stocked. 4. Undertakes a basic risk assessment of each of the tasks. The club should briefly analyse: what hazards exist in a task, who is at risk, whether the participant has the necessary experience and/or qualifications, whether an accident is likely, how serious the consequences of an accident could be, what steps can be taken to reduce accidents Generally, only low risk tasks should be undertaken. Where higher risks tasks are attempted you must ensure that adequate extra safety precautions are taken. 5. Ensures that the premises are safe before any tasks are undertaken. 6. Ensures that no tasks are attempted by participants who are not appropriately qualified or who do

not feel comfortable, especially in relation to: electrical work, use of blades / sharp tools / heat / chemicals, use of heavy / complicated machinery working at height / on unsafe structures, working alone and/or unsupervised

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CLIMATE COVER SYSTEM™ FLAT GROUND SHEET STILL GOING STRONG AFTER SIX YEARS... If you’re looking for a flat ground sheet that will offer more than just basic protection and will prove a real investment, look no further than the Climate Cover System™. The Climate Cover System™ has evolved through the combined experience and expertise of groundsmen, agronomists and material specialists and, made from a unique material, it provides an extremely lightweight and practical waterproof cover that enables large areas to be covered easily and safely with minimum labour. The cover fabric is extremely strong, translucent and breathable, which importantly allows light and air to pass through; protecting it from the rain whilst allowing vapour to escape ensuring the grass plant continues to grow underneath.

If all this wasn’t enough, the quality of the system means that it really stands the test of time - Steve Rouse, Head Groundsman at Warwickshire CCC has six-year old Climate Cover System™ in his fleet of covers: “We have been using the Climate Cover System™ for the past six years and with great success. We protect all our cricket surfaces with it because we know that grass plant is encouraged and that we can trust them to keep things dry. To put it simply; I can trust the covers, I know we can get at least five seasons out of them; they are brilliant!”

The great news for NatWest CricketForce Clubs is that they qualify for an automatic 10% discount on the purchase of a Climate Cover System™ flat ground sheet. Combine this with the option to spread payments, meaning you can start reaping the benefit of your cover now while spreading the cost over a 12 month period*, the fact that this is the only ground cover to offer a three year warranty as standard and the fact that you can purchase online quickly and easily via www.thecricketgroundshop.co.uk and it becomes evident why Climate Cover System™ is such a popular choice with clubs of all levels; from local league clubs and schools through to the ECB

Climate Cover System™ in use at Warwickshire CCC

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JOHNJAC CRICKET SUPPLIES JOHNJAC CRICKET SUPPLIES JOHNJAC CRICKET SUPPLIES JOHNJAC CRICKET SUPPLIES

LTD LTD LTD LTD

PREMIER 8M FOLDING SIGHT SCREEN PREMIER 8M FOLDING SIGHT SCREEN PREMIER 8M FOLDING SIGHT SCREEN PREMIER 8M FOLDING SIGHT SCREEN ---- £2,850.00 £2,850.00 £2,850.00 £2,850.00

EXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VATEXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VATEXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VATEXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VAT

SPECIAL OFFER SPECIAL OFFER SPECIAL OFFER SPECIAL OFFER ---- BUY TWO CLUB CLASSIC 4M SIGHT SCREENS FOR BUY TWO CLUB CLASSIC 4M SIGHT SCREENS FOR BUY TWO CLUB CLASSIC 4M SIGHT SCREENS FOR BUY TWO CLUB CLASSIC 4M SIGHT SCREENS FOR

£1,995.00 EXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VAT£1,995.00 EXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VAT£1,995.00 EXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VAT£1,995.00 EXCLUDING DELIVERY AND VAT

OFFER ENDS 15.3.11OFFER ENDS 15.3.11OFFER ENDS 15.3.11OFFER ENDS 15.3.11

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