Welcome to the section of the website dedicated to volunteering and events in Shropshire Cricket. This section will cover all aspects of volunteering (vCricket, NatWest CricketForce, NatWest OSCAs etc.) as well as informing you of any events that are ongoing and being planned by the Shropshire Cricket Board and its affiliated clubs as well as links to the SCB and ECB newsletters.
Volunteering - The number of volunteers involved at all levels of cricket in Shropshire continues to go from strength to strength, contributing hugely to the state and welfare of the game across the county. From the 32 club development plans undertaken in Shropshire in 2010, there are currently 2,128 volunteer roles compared to 1,794 in 2009. One volunteer currently undertakes 2.3 roles (we are looking to reduce this through recruiting more volunteers) in the county.
Clubs are constantly looking to expand their volunteer base and the constantly changing state of the modern game means that new roles are often required to support this. Every volunteer is vital to clubs, from the person who mows the outfield during the week to those who deal with new advances such as promoting the club’s activities through social networking mediums.
How clubs recruit, reward and retain these volunteers is something with which the SCB can assist. With initiatives such as vCricket (aimed at 16-25 year olds), NatWest CricketForce (the biggest volunteer event in UK sport) and the NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards), there are proven effective methods of doing this.
Contact Ian Gregory for further information: 01952 265676 | Email Ian
vCricket Programme and Awards
Do you need something to boost your CV? • Need some hands on experience to help support a job application? • Have some time on your hands? • What to have fun and meet new people? • Gain new skills and develop existing ones? • Are you applying to University and want to stand out? • Are you: enthusiastic, reliable, genuine, organised and energetic?
Then the vCricket programme is for you and you don't even need to know anything about cricket. Introduced in 2009 following research into volunteering across ECB focus clubs, vCricket is an initiative aimed at increasing the number of volunteers at clubs between the ages of 16-25. This demographic has traditionally accounted for a low percentage of active volunteers at clubs and often the work by those who do take part goes without reward and unnoticed. By 2011, V aims to increase the overall number of 16-25 volunteers in clubs to 20%. The benefits are endless and in reality, there is no reason not to become involved!
What is V? The vCricket programme is here to introduce young people into cricket, offering a broad range of volunteering opportunities, providing: enjoyable, enhancing and sustainable programmes for both volunteers and clubs. The vCricket programme will change the dynamic of the workforce to support the game. We will introduce more young people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, male and female, to help invigorate a vibrant club network. Through consulting with young people, vCricket has designed an awards system to give something back to those who have put in considerable efforts at clubs.
vCricket Awards - The V team has consulted and listened to lots of young people and we think we understand what it is that you want back from volunteering. We have therefore set up the vCricket awards, which gives you recognition for completing 25, 50 and 100 hours. All you need to do to sign up is contact your SCB cricket development officer (Ian Gregory - details above) to find a club and then obtain an hour's book.
Then every time you volunteer in cricket you get your hours signed off by a senior member (preferably a committee member or volunteer co-ordinator) at your club. It really is that easy!
You then send in the slip at the back of the book and once you fill in our vCricket Survey Monkey we will send you a certificate and at 25 hours a vCricket polo shirt. At 50 hours you get a certificate and vCricket hooded sweater and at 100 hours a certificate and limited edition silver pin badge. Please download the vCricket Strategy document from our Download section above. - (TOP)
NatWest CricketForce
NatWest CricketForce is the single biggest volunteer event in sport and in 2015, a record number of 1,914 clubs registered.
Participation and registration has grown year on year and in 2012 we aim to have 40 clubs in Shropshire registered and taking part in CricketForce. In simple terms, CricketForce is 'Changing Rooms meets Ground Force'. The purpose of the event is to rejuvenate the facilities of grounds around the country, making our clubs a better place for all its members to play, train, change and socialise. The event can be as small or as large as a club wishes to make it. Whether it be painting the fences and seating around the ground or a large project such as the construction of a new pavilion or netting facilities.
In 2016, NatWest CricketForce will run from April 1st-3rd. Register your club with CricketForce for the event.
CricketForce is a great opportunity for clubs to increase their volunteer base by promoting their work within the local community, getting parents of youth players involved and attracting the media to the event. CricketForce does not just have to take place over the one weekend, by planning ahead and contributing small efforts in the run-up to the weekend, you can guarantee yourself a successful event when the weekend arrives!
Get started on the road to CricketForce success by downloading the Step by Step Guide to CricketForce from our ECB link. Whatever your query, whatever information you need, you can contact the CricketForce help desk via email at
For further information about NatWest CricketForce, including case study examples, advice and support, suggestions and a range of useful documents for planning, hosting and evaluating your event, please visit the ECB web site. Please see our Download section above, for NatWest CricketForce Top Tips.
NatWest OSCAs
The NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards) exist as a great way of ensuring that volunteers at clubs get the recognition which they deserve for the hard work and time they spend in creating and sustaining the environment in which we play cricket.
In Shropshire, we hold our own OSCAs event (in 2016 this will held at the Whitehouse Hotel, AFC Telford on 4th March and 4th November) to celebrate the work of the volunteers across the county. From this, the winners of each category are put forward to the national OSCAs.
Nominations can be made in 7 categories
Behind the Scenes - An award for someone who has made a significant contribution to club life but has not necessarily been recognised. Someone who is willing to try their hand at anything in order to get the job done.
Young Volunteer (16-25) - An award for a young volunteer between the ages of 16-25 who has made a large impact upon their club/group/organisation through their hard work and commitment.
Officials Award - An award for an SCB official who has visibly increased the quality and quantity of officials within the county and has therefore helped the sustainability of cricket within the ECB.
NatWest CricketForce - A SCB club who has galvanised members in the club to support NWCF, gained support from local and national business, as well as linking with the local community in the recruitment of volunteers for their club.
Lifetime Achiever - An individual in Shropshire who has made an outstanding difference to their club, league, board or local cricket community over a considerable number of years.
Leagues and Boards - An award aimed at dedication and results in the quality and quantity of participation in all areas of cricket. This can be an individual or a group.
Building Partnerships - An individual or organisation that has created sustainable partnerships with schools, voluntary organisations, other sports and/or the local community.
Every individual who is nominated for an OSCA will receive a certificate recognising their efforts. It is vital that clubs recognise the work put in by their many volunteers. Often these efforts will go unnoticed so please feel free to shout about their efforts and help reward them for what they have done at your club! Nomination forms for 2012 are found below.
The judging criteria differ from each other as each category differs from each other significantly, but there is a minimum standard that all of the nominations must show:
• Evidence in the nomination form of the criteria having been achieved
• Evidence that the person has had a positive and sustainable impact on their club/organisation
• A demonstration of the volunteer going 'beyond the call of duty' and exceeding expectations for the good of the club/organisation/game of cricket
• An ongoing commitment to the club/organisation and its members
To find out more about the NatWest OSCAs national awards, please visit the ECB web site.
For further information regarding volunteering in cricket please contact Ian Gregory
(Shropshire Cricket Board Cricket Development Officer, details above).
To find out more about how your club can benefit from NatWest CricketForce and further information about how your club can advertise events please contact any of the SCB CDOs