NatWest/Sportsmatch CricketForce 2005/6 - FUNdamentals programme - Blandford CC
Kids at Blandford CC benefitted from summer training courses as part of the NatWest/Sportsmatch CricketForce 2005/6 FUNdamentals programme
Blandford CC, a Focus Club in Dorset, is one of the clubs identified to participate in the NatWest/Sportsmatch CricketForce 2005/6 FUNdamentals programme for new junior sections for six- to nine-year-olds.
School teachers from eight of their local schools, as well as volunteer helpers (parents), provided during schools coaching - which then led to a schools Kwik Cricket Tournament towards the end of the 2005 school term.
Around 120 boys and 100 girls aged 6-9 took part overall in the school lessons.
The club secured coverage in the local press, and were able to speak with the local and town council about further funding within the club.
Other benefits to the club as a result of participation in the FUNdamentals programme were:
- more children taking part as well as more volunteer recruitment
- better standard of coaching overall
- increase in participation
- better-club school links with more possible in the future
- summer coaching sessions promoted in the summer holidays and set to be fully booked up
- club coaching sessions taking place on a Friday evening throughout the summer and a week's summer coaching week booked for beginners from year 3,4,5 and 6.
The local press were invited to schools coaching and to games to promote both club, school and the local district association.
Senior students handled press invites as well as writing to Somerset CCC and Hants CCC - off the back of which free match tickets were given to the club and schools so that the children could attend a first class match.
Overall the club has reported new members joining, and increasing membership from those taking part.
