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Shotley Bridge CC won the 2006 Osca in the NatWest CricketForce 2006 category - the full list of nominees was as follows:
Bunwell CC - Chris Brook
So many clubs turn their backs on the opportunities offered by NatWest CricketForce but Chris quickly realised that a bit of effort and organisation could transform his local club, Bunwell CC. The club has struggled to survive since its inception five years ago but a few enthusiasts kept the side together, and a welcome increase in membership menas that the club can look forward to the future.
What was needed, however, was a decent pavilion and, in particular, a kitchen with proper washing facilities. Taking CricketForce at its word, Chris organised a committee and set about visiting local companies for financial or material support. Whether it was his smooth tongue or the vision that appealed to donors is not known. What is now apparent, however, is that the club can boast a brand-new kitchen, a scoreboard, sightscreens and a shed for equipment, all of which has been achieved at no cost, other than a few beers to reward the volunteers assembled by Chris.
It is estimated that the work would have cost in the region of £15,000 had contractors been involved. The work of Chris and his team exhibits precisely the benefits of Cricket Force at its best.
Shotley Bridge CC - Hilary Nesbit
This was Shotley Bridge CC’s first attempt at NatWest CricketForce – and what a success! Never in their history has so much goodwill and hard work been harnessed over one intensely gruelling and rewarding weekend.
With grants, donations from CricketForce supporters at B&Q and Community Re-paint, gifts and labour from local companies and, of course, the free labour of almost 50 volunteers, we made improvements to our clubhouse and grounds totalling more than £10,000.
This included repapering and painting the entire pavilion and changing rooms, the complete revamp of the scorebox (with electronic board), new home-made sightscreens, landscaping and a sub-base constructed for our new net area. The brilliant thing about CricketForce is that, with a bit of planning and organising, anyone could do what we did. We are just volunteers with no special skills, just boundless enthusiasm and a love of cricket.
Tynemouth CC - Russell Perry
The nomination is for Tynemouth CC and their many volunteers headed by Chairman Russell Perry for their huge effort with NatWest Cricketforce 2006. The statistics highlight the magnitude of the project: 200 volunteers involved, external partner support of almost £40,000, grants / awards of almost £39,000 all awarded through the hard work of the volunteers.
In total the estimated project value is a staggering £250,000. The refurbishments included: new roof on the pavilion, extended lounge, extended bar, new kitchen, retiled showers and toilets, new disabled toilet, disabled ramp, new heating system, new air conditioning, new electrics, double glazed pavilion, decorated throughout, new carpets and flooring, groundsman’s office created, painted fence, all pre season work for start of season.
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