Sussex Cricket Foundation Encourages Local Clubs to apply to be a Cricket World Cup Club and ‘become part of something bigger’

Sussex Cricket Foundation has today announced a call to action for all local clubs and cricket organisations 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 community through family fun-based activity and help bring the excitement of the 2019 Cricket World Cup (CWC 2019) into their clubhouse.

As the CWC 2019 returns to England and Wales for the first time in 20 years, the ICC and ECB aim to engage 1 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 CWC 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 7th – Sunday 9th of June 2019 will be the focus weekend for celebrations however Club family days can run over any weekend during the World Cup (30th May-14th 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.

ECB Regional Head of Participation and Growth for South Central region, Andy Lees said:

“Within the South Central region, we’re well aware of the fantastic opportunity that the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup presents and the importance of seizing upon this once in a generation event to continue to get more young people passionate about our game.

He continued: “The Cricket World Cup Club initiative created by the ICC and ECB is a golden opportunity and one that I encourage as many local clubs in Sussex to sign up for. The Fund and CWC 2019 tournament represent a platform which we can utilise to grow a whole new generation of fans and players, boys and girls who will be playing at diverse, family-friendly clubs.”

For more information and to register your club please visit: https://clubs.cricketworldcup.com/