Glamorgan staff help local club prepare for the new season

Glamorgan County Cricket Club and Cricket Wales joined forces with Blackwood Cricket Club over the weekend as part of the ECB’s NatWest CricketForce initiative.

Glamorgan and Cricket Wales staff, as well as volunteers and players from Blackwood worked tirelessly throughout the day to help improve the Club’s facilities on the lead up to the new season.

Eric Reardon is the chairman of Blackwood CC and was inspired by the efforts of those who volunteered, “It’s the first time we have dealt with CricketForce and it has been an absolute pleasure.

“With the help of everyone we were able to carry out a month’s work on our facilities that would’ve taken the best part of a month. With the season fast approaching it has enabled us to concentrate on maintaining our pitch.

“The commitment from everyone involved was second to none and we can’t thank them enough for what they have done for us, it’s as if a magic wand has been waved to complete our wishlist ahead of the new season. It really has been an inspiring experience for us.”

Over the weekend, the team painted the clubhouse, scoreboard and changing rooms, and carried out key maintenance on the non-turf pitch.

Mark Frost, Community and Development Manager at Glamorgan Cricket, said: “It was good to lend a hand to Blackwood CC on Saturday with a good showing of staff from Glamorgan and Cricket Wales, which meant that the club were able to do some necessary jobs in a day that would normally take months of hard work for a few club volunteers.

“The clubhouse and facilities are now transformed into a picture of whiteness and we are also really pleased that the club has taken on All Stars cricket for 2018.

“CricketForce is one of ECB’s most successful schemes and today’s event has perfectly demonstrated how professional cricket and grassroots cricket can join forces to help benefit the game.”

Mark White, South East Wales Area Manager at Cricket Wales, added: “We had a successful day at Blackwood CC on Saturday for the NatWest Cricket Force.

“Blackwood have been a club growing over the last four to five years with regards to junior development, so we decided to support them to give a little bit back to the club.”