The ECB and ICC today announced a call to action for all local clubs and cricket organisations in England and Wales to apply to become a Cricket World Cup Club and ‘be part of something bigger’. The initiative has been designed to help grassroots clubs further connect with their local communities through family fun-based activity and help bring the excitement of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 into their clubhouse.
As the ICC Cricket World Cup returns to England and Wales for the first time in 20 years, the ICC and ECB aim to engage one million kids throughout the tournament, with clubs given the opportunity to apply to become a Cricket World Cup Club, put on a family day and celebrate and engage a new audience through the excitement of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
As part of the initiative, clubs are being asked to run a weekend of child/family-based activity, helping to better connect with the local community and engage a younger generation. This could be anything, from kids’ coaching sessions, parent/child matches, or even a ‘Bring a Friend’ day. The aim of these family days is to get more kids involved in the game and to help clubs showcase themselves to a wider audience.
Clubs who apply will have access to official marketing material to assist with the promotion of their event – which they will be able to use in schools, on social media and in the local area. Cricket World Cup Champions, the lead volunteer at the club, will receive official World Cup merchandise to reward them for their efforts.
Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June 2019 will be the focus weekend for celebrations, however, Club Family Days can run over any weekend during the World Cup (30 May-14 July).
Furthermore, a Cricket World Cup Club Fund has also been launched with, at least, the first 2,000 affiliated clubs who register, having the opportunity to receive £1,000 to help digitise or upgrade catering facilities. The fund has been set up to help clubs install new broadband, boost their clubhouse’s audio-visual capabilities, or transform their catering facilities to assist with their CWC 2019 family day.
Commenting on the initiative, Nick Pryde, ECB Interim Director of Participation and Growth said: “The Cricket World Cup Club initiative is a fantastic opportunity, and one which I encourage as many local clubs in England and Wales as possible to sign up to.
“The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 represents a huge opportunity for us to attract new generations of fans and players, boys and girls to the game, who will be playing at diverse, modern and family-friendly clubs.”
Steve Elworthy, Managing Director of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, added: ‘’The ICC Cricket World Cup is returning to England and Wales for the first time in 20 years, and it’s important we make the most of this opportunity to inspire the next generation.
‘’Through this initiative, we encourage local clubs to become a Cricket World Cup Club and open their doors to their local community, and by putting on the Family days, it will be a great chance to engage with a new generation of fans and players.
For more information and to register your club please visit: http://clubs.cricketworldcup.com/
