CricketForce 2010

2010 saw Bexhill Cricket Club chosen by the Sussex Cricket Board to be the showcase club for the county for the annual CricketForce event.

CricketForce is run by the ECB in conjunction with its official supporter NatWest. The idea behind it is that through utilising volunteer labour from cricket clubs and their local community and with the assistance of local business, any cricket club can update their facilities or undertake similar projects in a proffesional and organised manner whilst at the same time promoting longevity and making a club a more prominent part of the local community.

The Bexhill project was ambitious, time consuming and, at the time of going to press still ongoing. The internal areas of the clubrooms have been completely rennovated, modernised and brought up to date with the modern world. I dont think anyone can be in doubt that it was not needed! Works included a new bar, installation of a disabled toilet, remodelled kitchen and new players entrance. The steps to the scorebox have been made safe, permanent and attractive, whilst planters have been made for the exterior of the building to improve the outside as a whole. The continuation of the project will see new showers, extended change rooms, a new umpires room and increased and secure storage areas.

Sussex County Cricket Club assisted in many ways. The likes of Mike Yardy, Monty Panesar, Mark Robinson, Joe Gatting and Chad Keegan were on hand to help and this was done through jobs such as painting, sanding and running junior coaching lessons. We really were lucky to have Sussex on side for the event and the diffence they made cannot be underestimated.

There were though two really special stars of the show. Bill Holloway is the brains and brawn behind the new Pavilion. He approached the Chairman in 2009 with offers of help in anyway he could and gave some ideas and designs which he thought would improve the building. Little did the club, nor Bill himself realise just how much would be done or needed to be done. The hours Bill spent on site in the cold and often on his own make the club in his debt and what he has provided is a top class facility for every club member to enjoy regardless of age or ability. Bill can be seen here measuring up..!!

Also, Lisa Phillimore was instrumental in helping the cricket club to obtain the materials used for the construction works and the day itself. What was a project to modernise the clubroom turned into something of a monster based purely on Lisa's success in getting local community assistance with project and the volume of support she was able to find. Companies such as British Gypsum donated a new suspended ceiling for the clubroom, around 200 sheets of plasterboard, two pallets of plaster and all of this delivered free of charge. Wickes donated items to the cause as did Tesco's and Hastings Local. Because of their support, and Lisa's undeniable ability and effort in obtaining these items, a small project became the Bexhill Cricket Club version of "Grand Designs". If Bill Holloway was the Jeff Stelling of the works then Lisa was without question the Carol Vorderman. Her skill and effort is without question.

Both these members were nominated by Bexhill Cricket Club at the Natwest OSCA awards (Outstanding Service to Cricket Award). At the Sussex awards ceremony Bill was highly commended for his work while Lisa took the gong away winning the Volunteer of the Year (Sussex) for the Natwest CricketForce event - however more was yet to come. Having won the County prize she then went one step further and won the national award at a posh dinner and ceremony held at the Lords Cricket Ground and presented to her by former England captain Michael Vaughan. Very well deserved and it has without question put Bexhill on the cricketing map.

So how has Bexhill Cricket Club benefited from the event? Well anyone visiting the Polegrove can see the changes inside the Pavilion and nobody can be of any doubt over how good the facility now is. Monty Panesar attended CricketForce on the day - and ended up playing for the 1st team during the season when his Sussex committments allowed him to. Michael Chadwick also represented the club at 1st XI level when not playing with Sussex. Good friends were made with players, officials and new business partners formed. More Mum's and Dad's became involved with the running of the club this year than ever before having seen the friendly atmosphere the the CricketForce event showcased.

CricketForce created a legacy that the club can be greatful for that will last for many many years. Photo's of the day can be found by visiting our Gallery.