Volunteers out in Force

Twenty two clubs from Norfolk took part in the biggest ever Natwest CricketForce event earlier this month. The initiative is aimed at rejuvenating the country's cricket facilities and over the course of a designated weekend volunteers picked up paintbrushes and cleaning equipment and carried out repairs to get their clubs in good shape for the new season.

Twenty two clubs from Norfolk took part in the biggest ever Natwest CricketForce event earlier this month.

The initiative is aimed at rejuvenating the country's cricket facilities and over the course of a designated weekend volunteers picked up paintbrushes and cleaning equipment and carried out repairs to get their clubs in good shape for the new season.

Among the clubs taking part were Bradenham, who had a helping hand from the ECB's national volunteers manager Jane Hannah.

Swaffham took part for the second year running and repainted their clubhouse, maintained sightscreens, tidied their ground and overhauled club equipment.

There were similarly successful events at Hethersett & Tas Valley and Thetford. Nationally, 1,642 clubs took part in the event.

The Norfolk Cricket Board's cricket development officer, Kevin Denmark, said: "Cricket would not survive without its army of volunteers who give up their time willingly.

"Hopefully the level of success seen will encourage even more clubs to take part in 2011."