Surrey’s Shepperton to launch NatWest CricketForce 2007

Published 26 March 2007

Shepperton Cricket Club in Surrey is to launch NatWest CricketForce 2007, the largest volunteer programme in British Sport.

Shepperton, who are in the final stages of developing their new pavilion, are to be the flagship club for the launch of NatWest CricketForce 2007 with an event taking place at the club in Surrey this Friday (30 March).

Alec Stewart will be at Shepperton on Friday to support NatWest CricketForce.
The day is being supported by Surrey County Cricket Club’s Chief Executive, Paul Sheldon, former Surrey and England Captain Alec Stewart and former Surrey and England Manager Micky Stewart, as well as a number of England players, including Stuart Broad, Charlotte Edwards and Caroline Atkins.

With record participation levels expected during this year's initiative, there has been no better example of the sort of accomplishments that can be achieved with volunteer’s help than Shepperton’s pavilion re-development.

Starting with Shepperton, County Cricket Clubs and their local club sides throughout England and Wales will take part in NatWest CricketForce 2007 this weekend, with record numbers of volunteers expected.

Last year a total of 1062 clubs took part in NatWest CricketForce and more than 70,000 volunteers, including some of cricket's biggest names such as England stars Monty Panesar and Alistair Cook, carried out renovation work at clubs valued at more than £30m. This year, NatWest

Surrey County Cricket Club’s Chief Executive, Sheldon said: “Involvement in the community is a priority at Surrey and we as a Club are extremely proud of what Shepperton have achieved.”

He added: “NatWest CricketForce is a fantastic sporting initiative and the fact that so many more clubs are taking part from year to year is a prime example of the effect it is having all over the nation.”