Sussex Cricket Club gets out and about

Fourteen of the professional playing staff were accompanied by the Club's staff and Committee visiting over 20 clubs during the weekend.

This included clubs in our area such as Battle.

The even will have a huge impact on recreational cricket with all clubs undertaking huge amount of work to improve the standard of their playing facilities for the season.

This alone will have a very positive influence on the quality of cricket played

in Sussex, but the real legacy is about the community involvement in these

clubs. Many of them reported a very high number of volunteers and also of building

materials and equipment either being donated or given at reduced cost by local

companies. The community spirit shown from local to county level was overwhelming and augurs well for the future of the game.

Gus Mackay, the Sussex Chief Executive, spent time at Bells Yew Green assisting with painting the pavilion, 'This was a fabulous experience and it was wonderful to see the county's top players, such as Chris Adams, Michael Yardy and Matt Prior, getting their hands dirty helping a local club (Bells Yew Green] prepare for the new season. The responsibility of strengthening this game lies with us all and grass roots cricket is vital to provide an arena for the county players of the future. The NatWest CricketForce weekend was a great occasion for all involved and a event that the County Club is proud to be associated with.'