Forton Cricket Club has been selected as the English Cricket Board's only National Showcase club for the Natwest Cricket Force 2014 event. Previous events have seen the attendance of current and former England players and other senior figures attending the host's event. Last year’s event in Harrow saw Alastair Cook, Charlotte Edwards, Mike Gatting and Boris Johnson attend.
NatWest CricketForce which was launched in 2005 is an initiative for cricket clubs encouraging members of the club and local community to get together to get the ground ready for the new season. During the event Forton Cricket Club, along with the ECB and SCB (Shropshrie Cricket Board), will present a basic backdrop of what Cricket Force is and what they as a club hope to achieve from the event. They will lay out our plans for the day and how the event can pay great dividends not just to the club but the local community as a whole. The opportunity will be taken to register people's help for the day but also to look towards the local community for any support and backing they may be able to offer for this unique event. Keith Williams (Forton CC Secretary) said, "We believe that the likely media attention this event will generate will provide local business that backs the event with a unique advertising opportunity on a National level. We will also provide links through both our club website, wwww.forton.play-cricket.com and within the club itself."
Shropshire Cricket Board are also heavily involved in supporting this project. Head of Club and Community Programmes for SCB Chris Dirkin explains, "We are delighted that Forton CC have been identified locally and chosen nationally to be the Showcase Club for 2014."
Following the presentation there will be a complimentary buffet and a chance to chat and share ideas. Those planning to attend are asked to contact Keith Williams on 01952 405624 or email diandkeith@blueyonder.co.uk. Numbers are limited for the event, which will be held by Forton Cricket Club at the Swan at Forton, Tuesday 28th January, 7pm on-wards. Mr Williams said, "We hope you will be able to attend in what is likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the local area."
