Chris Tremlett And Charlotte Edwards Launch Another Record Breaking NatWest CricketForce

Chris Tremlett

©Action Images

Charlotte Edwards

©Action Images

England players Chris Tremlett and Charlotte Edwards will be wielding paintbrushes at Merstham Cricket Club this Friday (March 30th) when they launch NatWest CricketForce 2012. 

The pair will be joined by thousands of other volunteers nationwide in lending a hand with pre-season preparations and refurbishments as a record number of 1930 clubs prepares to take part in the three-day annual initiative.

Lancashire batsman Stephen Moore will also be supporting the award-winning project alongside Kate Cross from the England Women’s Academy, at her home club of Heywood Cricket Club in Lancashire on Saturday 31st March. 

The weekend’s activity will culminate at Copley Cricket Club in Halifax this Sunday (April 1st) when former England captain Mike Gatting will be joined by another ex- England batsman Neil Fairbrother in helping the local community put the finishing touches to a new £585,000 pavilion.

Chris Tremlett said: “NatWest CricketForce provides an excellent opportunity to support grassroots cricket. I was involved last year and witnessed first-hand the enthusiasm and difference communities can make when they pull together. I’ll be getting my hands dirty at Merstham cricket club this year and encourage everyone to get involved to ensure the foundations of the game for the next generation of cricketers are stronger than ever.” 

England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards said: “It’s important for us as England players to lend a hand at NatWest CricketForce and remember how we were all supported by our respective clubs in the early days. Quality facilities play a huge part in players’ experience of the game and can make all the difference to people staying involved. It’s fantastic to see so many clubs ensuring their facilities are welcoming to women and girls.”

ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting said: “I’m delighted to see NatWest CricketForce thriving with record numbers of clubs participating once again in the event’s 11th year. This year we will see Merstham Cricket Club focus on improving disability access at the club with the planned renovations designed to grow their already established disability cricket section. 

“Heywood Cricket Club is striving to show the community of Rochdale what can be achieved when people volunteer for just a small amount of time, and we hope NatWest CricketForce will help recruit long term volunteers, new and old to the club.

“Copley Cricket Club has undertaken a significant project over the past eight months with the build of a new pavilion which has been made possible by financial contributions from ECB, Sport England and the local community. It will be a wonderful facility for the club and the community of Halifax and everyone associated with the club can take great pride in it.”

NatWest Cricket ambassador, Michael Vaughan said: “For clubs up and down the country NatWest CricketForce marks the start of the season as the ground and facilities are prepared for action. I’m looking forward to getting involved this weekend and playing my part alongside hundreds of NatWest staff and volunteers all helping to make it another record breaking NatWest CricketForce weekend.”

NatWest CricketForce Events: 

Please note all events will run from 10am-5pm with players attending from 11am-1.30pm.

Friday 30th March

England cricketers Chris Tremlett, Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway together with ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting will attend Merstham Cricket Club in Surrey.

Saturday 31st March

Lancashire and England Lions batsman Stephen Moore and ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting will be joined by England Women’s Academy player Kate Cross at her home club of Heywood Cricket Club in Lancashire.

Sunday 1st April

Ex England player Neil Fairbrother and ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting will attend Copley Cricket Club in West Yorkshire.  

A full programme of NatWest CricketForce events is taking place nationwide over the weekend of 30th March-1st April.

For more information on NatWest CricketForce go to www.ecb.co.uk\natwestcricketforce