BEDFORDSHIRE CRICKETBEDFORDSHIRE Queens Park’s Neslyn Schools Competitions CAMBRIDGESHIRE Last month was busy with schools’ competitions across all Pearson wins Lifetime ages. Congratulations to all the county winners: ESSEX Year 3 & 4 Achievement award Beechwood Primary School, Luton HERTFORDSHIRE Congratulations to Queens Park Youth Cricket Club’s Neslyn Pearson who recently won a Lifetime Achievement Award at Year 5 & 6 Mixed HUNTINGDONSHIRE the Beds on Sunday Local Heroes Awards 2017. Neslyn said: William Austin Junior School, Luton “Community is in my heart.” This has been Neslyn’s ethos Year 5 & 6 Girls ECB City Cup progress her whole life, growing up in Queens Park in Bedford, and she Beech Hill Community Primary School, Luton NORFOLK The local ECB City Cup competition got underway last month has used this to create amazing opportunities for everyone Under 13 Chance to Compete Girls and includes players from throughout Bedfordshire in three in her community. Neslyn is set to leave Bedford later this EAST SUFFOLK Woodland Academy, Flitwick teams – Luton Sharks, Luton Tigers and Bedford Queens Park. year to care for her father in Grenada, but her legacy will The teams have been playing each other in T20-style midweek live on. Bedfordshire Cricket would like to thank Neslyn for Under 13 Chance to Compete matches. The fi nal (the two top teams) will take place on her amazing contribution to cricket in Queen’s Park over the Mixed Hardball – Arnold Academy, Barton-le-Clay Friday 21 July at 5.45pm at Luton Town & Indians CC. The years. Under 15 Chance to Compete Girls two top teams will be decided in the last league match this JULY NEWSLETTER A special mention to Alan Thompson (Kempston Methodists Samuel Whitbread Academy, Shefford Friday 14 July between Sharks and Bedford Queens Park. If and Bedfordshire Invitation Saturday Cricket League Under 15 Chance to Compete Mixed Hardball Bedford Queens Park win, they will be in the fi nal however, if Secretary) who was a nominee in the Sports Unsung Hero Sharnbrook Upper School Sharks win then it will go down to net run rate between Tigers category of the awards. and Bedford Queens Park to see who progresses to face the All winners (other than the Year 4 competition) will progress Foreword Sharks, as they both will have won one game each. A select onto Regional Finals in July. Good luck to all involved. Also, a With England batting at a sun-drenched Lord’s, there is a real sense that summer is here and with last week’s XI will then go forward to play in a national quarter-fi nal big thank you to Bedford Modern School and Dunstable Town news of the new broadcast deal, cricket has an exciting time ahead. With this comes a real responsibility which will take place on Monday 28 August at Luton Town Cricket Club who kindly provided the venues for over 400 to ensure that cricket continues to grow and develop from root to branch. All Stars has been a huge step & Indians CC. For further details, email brad.matthews@ young cricketers to enjoy the game. in this process. For the fi rst time, a child’s fi rst experience of cricket has been connected to the national bedscricket.co.uk. team in a national programme. I had the chance to be at Lord’s recently, where I witnessed around 50 All Stars from around the country have the chance to do the All Stars drills on the hallowed Lord’s outfi eld. I can’t think of a more inspirational experience for a young cricketer and it is these experiences we want to be part of our game at all levels. CricketFest 2017 has been up and running over the last few weeks with All Stars guards of honour for the 1st Team, Women’s Soft Ball Festivals, casual T20 games and BBQs and family fun days. I hope you all look for these experiences in your club and across the region this summer. We are here to support you and if you have ideas please get in touch; we’d love to hear them. , Regional Head of Participation & Growth (East) Matt Blakeley Pictured: Neslyn Pearson with Peter Wells of Charles Wells who sponsored the award and Regional Director of Trinity Mirror Richard Duxbury

CRICKET EAST FACT FILE Pictured: Yr 4 Mixed winners Beechwood • Cricket East comprises the seven County Cricket NatWest U13 and Boards based in the Eastern Region – Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. U15 National Club • Our collective vision is to lead and infl uence the Championship 2017 Pictured: Luton Tigers’ Kashif Ali picks up his second Man of the Match award development of the game while inspiring everyone Congratulations to Bedford Cricket Club who beat Luton to take part and grow cricket in an accessible and Town & Indians Cricket Club in the Under 13 County Final and inclusive way. #GoBoldly at ICC Women’s to Luton Town & Indians Cricket Club who beat Bedford CC Viegli • Affi liated to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), in the Under 15 County Final. Both teams progressed to the Cricket East’s goal is to support the sustainable future World Cup 2017 National Knock-Out competitions. Bedford CC U13s won their Bedfordshire of cricket by increasing the opportunities and enhancing The ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 is now well underway and fi rst game against the Northamptonshire winners Overstone the experience of everyone involved in the game across you can follow it at: http://ecb-comms.co.uk/2SWS-HLSU- CC and will be playing Walmley CC (Warwickshire) in the Pictured: Yr 6 Girls winners Beech Hill T20 Competition the East. 4FG75C-91OAW-1/c.aspx. Remember that all cricket clubs second round away on Sunday 16 July. Luton Town & Indians • Cricket East has more than 700 affi liated cricket clubs can get 20% off any tickets they buy to any match. Just enter U15s played Leicestershire & Rutland winners Loughborough Regional Finals and each year more than 40,000 children are coached promo code ‘CLUBS20’ when making a booking at: https:// Town but lost by 5 runs. You can follow Bedford CC’s progress The competition has now reached the regional fi nal stages in schools and clubs. womensworldcup.tickets.icc-cricket.com/wwc2017-ww/ at: http://ecbu13ncc.play-cricket.com/ homePage.html?dm_i=2SWS,GUHJ,4FG75C,1QVMR,1. and the four matches will be: Eversholt v Ampthill Town, • We are committed to all aspects of the game and Queens Park Westfi eld v Thurleigh, Lutonian v Dunstable Town through the Cricket Unleashed Strategy aim to and Blunham v Southill Park. These matches will be played by underpin all fi ve elements of that strategy to provide a 4 August. Good luck to all 8 teams! Finals Day (semi-fi nals healthy and sustainable future for the cricketing family and fi nal) will be on Sunday 10 September at Southill Park in the East. Cricket Club. Check out the scores and fi xtures at: http:// bedst20cup.play-cricket.com/

Pictured: Yr 6 Mixed Winners William Austin

Pictured: Bedford CC U13s Bedfordshire Young New research on girls’ Cricketers success Bedfordshire Young Cricketers are enjoying a great season! Bedford Street cricket shows changing The last month has seen Under 10s beat Hunts, Under 11s beat London Schools, Under 12 recording three good winners If you are aged 16-24, come along to the Bedford Chance landscape against Suffolk, Bucks and Wales, Under 13s beat Suffolk and to Shine Street programme every Friday from 6.30pm at Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Allen Park, Queens Park, Bedford. Chance to Shine Street New research from Chance to Shine and Yorkshire Tea points Herts and the Under 14s beat Leicestershire by 6 wickets. Top individual performances have come from: is bringing cricket to thousands of young people in diverse Festivals to a revolution in girls’ attitudes and access to cricket – communities. At sessions, young people (16-24 year olds) and highlights the vital role of schools in inspiring the next Dilan Sheemar 116* v Suffolk U13 (pictured) Coming to a venue near you this summer! play a fast-paced version of tape-ball cricket, using a tennis generation of girls to play and learn through the game. A Daniel Clarke 78* v London Schools U16 ball wrapped in electrical tape. If you are interested in having Over 180 fun-fi lled Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festivals are nationally-representative survey of children aged 8-16 found a go, please email [email protected] or call taking place nationally and more than 40 in the Eastern Rohit Mehmi 72* v Bedford School U10 that 44% of girls played cricket to some extent in the past 07884 060907. Region. Get an idea of what to expect at a Festival at: year, the vast majority of whom played at school (36% of Pictured: Luton Town & Indians CC U15s Rohan Mehmi 67* v Herts U13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p6AadwHF0c. For more all girls). At the same time, almost one-third of girls say they Danyaal Khalid 62 v Suffolk U13 information and planned dates near you go to: https://www. have no opportunity to play in school, and many say that ecb.co.uk/news/376461. If you can’t fi nd a date or venue they want more opportunity and encouragement to play the Hayden Melly 53 v Suffolk U12 & v Wales U11 Summer Camps that suits or you would like an event at your club, please get game. Celebrating Yorkshire Tea Ali – Ul – Haq 4 for 29 v England Women’s Academy Wicketz Summer Camps (funded by Crimebeat and Lord’s in touch with your County Board contact (see below). Taverners) are taking place throughout the Summer Break There are plenty of fi xtures coming up, for further details National Cricket Week at each of our 4 Hub locations. They are FREE and open to please look at: http://bedfordshire.play-cricket.com/ boys and girls aged 8-12 9.30am-12pm and 13-16 1-3.30pm website/web_pages/598 (apart from Farley Hill 8-12 9.30am-12pm) as follows: Mon 24-Thu 27 July Lutonian Cricket Club Mon 31 July-Fri 4 August Luton Caribbean Cricket Club Mon 14-Fri 18 August Farley Hill Mon 21-Fri 25 August Luton Town & Indians Cricket Club For further details of the Summer Camps and the weekly Hubs, go to: email [email protected] or call 07493 867729. Host a Women’s Soft Ball So many #bigmoments On Tuesday 20 June at Flitwick Cricket Club, teams representing Festival at your club Bedfordshire’s Special Schools celebrated Yorkshire Tea Over 3,300 children across 198 clubs in the Eastern Region National Cricket Week with their own Cricket Festival. With The benefi ts of hosting a Festival at your club include: (and almost 35,000 children nationally) are benefi tting from over 50 students at Key Stage 3 and 4 playing in very hot • Receive a free soft ball cricket kit from New Balance All Stars Cricket’s eight-week programme, which is all about conditions against each other in a round-robin format, including 4 sets of stumps, 4 soft ball cricket bats, 12 soft delivering jam-packed fun, activity and skills development. they participated in four matches throughout the Festival. cricket balls and a wheelie holdall Children and parents are also encouraged to continue the The teams taking part were: Grange Academy, Kempston; fun at home, in the park, or even on holiday – go to: https:// • A fantastic fundraising opportunity, in terms of bar/BBQ Weatherfi eld Academy, Dunstable; Ivel Valley School, www.ecb.co.uk/news/426153. Thanks to all clubs in the takings Biggleswade; St John’s Special School & College, Bedford; and Eastern Region that have got fully behind All Stars Cricket Ridgeway School, Kempston, with all having one full team per • The opportunity to attract new women and girls and other and invested time and energy in promoting it within their age group. A big thank you to all staff that attended and family members to the club local community, making it a great experience for kids and helped in making the Festival a massive success. Bedfordshire Cricket, in association with Crimebeat, is running • The Festival will be organised for you (apart from a few parents. And we are so proud of our little stars creating so the following cricket summer camps. The focus of these events volunteer hours on the day) many #BigMoments! For more information, go to: https:// is having fun and there will be different cricket activities each www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars. day. For further details, go to: https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/376461 Pictured: Dilan Sheemar Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Mon 31 July-Fri 4 August at Biggleswade Town Cricket Club To discuss this exciting opportunity, please contact the 9.30am-3.30pm (ages 8-16). £5 per day. relevant offi cer for your county: Festival success Mon 7-Fri 11 August at Leighton Buzzard Cricket Club (Beds, Herts, Hunts) Dominic Chatfi eld 07841 037263 Congratulations to Langford and Elstow Cricket Clubs who 2018 Bedfordshire Young 9.30am-12pm (ages 8-13). £5 per session. dominic.chatfi [email protected] recently hosted Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festivals. Sian Mon 21-Fri 25 August at Queens Park Youth Cricket Club (Cambs, Norfolk, Suffolk) Parker, who hosted the event at Langford, said: Chloe Leveridge 07852 438756 Cricketers 10am-3pm (ages 8-16). No charge. [email protected] “It was with great anticipation and excitement that Langford Planning for 2018 is underway! All Heads of junior sections To register your place, email brad.matthews@bedscricket. (Essex) CC hosted their fi rst Festival one balmy Friday evening in will be contacted during July to nominate young players to Natalie Samaranayake 07753 468149 co.uk with your child’s name, age and any medical conditions. [email protected] June. After wondering whether the format of Soft Ball Cricket attend trials later this year to represent their county in 2018. with Prosecco would appeal to the ladies of Langford, we Please keep a lookout for the emails. had nothing to worry about as over 40 previously cricket- CricketFest 2017 opens sceptical women turned up for a superb evening of laughs and sporting fun. With fl ags and banners adorning the park, its doors music pumping and woman of all ages in bright neon t-shirts, MCC Spirit of Cricket CricketFest 2017 offi cially launched on 24/25 June with over the community atmosphere was fantastic. Everybody got 1,000 clubs nationally signed up to take part over the coming involved, gave cricket a go and really enjoyed it. The feedback Open Day weekends (to 15/16 July) celebrating everything that is from every single person, young and old, was ‘When’s the next great about the game from All Stars kids cheering on U19 one?’. So, if you love getting together with friends, check out T20, junior events mixing with senior cricket, BBQs on a scale your nearest Festival or arrange one for your club. It’s so easy to rival Glastonbury and traditional cream teas. Clubs still - Dominic Chatfi eld and his team run the whole thing so you wishing to take part can sign up at: https://www.ecb.co.uk/ can join in the fun and all you need to do is make a date and ECB announces media rights be-involved/club-support/club-events/cricketfest. Contact then get the word out to your friends, family and community. deals from 2020 your local County Board to fi nd out what’s happening in Why not have a BBQ too just like we did.” your county. Fiona Tanswell, who hosted the event at Elstow, said: “When The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently we were approached about hosting the event – cricket with free announced the award of media rights for all its domestic prosecco and no hard balls – we jumped at the chance. Surely Thank your volunteers – fi rst-class county and international matches, played at home, this would entice some more women to come along and give from 2020-2024. The new fi ve-year agreements with Sky cricket a go! We were not disappointed as 25 women turned up As part of the Chance to Shine programme and partnership Sports and BBC will help grow cricket in England and Wales. to play on one of the hottest Tuesdays of the year so far! With nominations by with the MCC, Denbigh Primary School in Luton, along with Announcing the new long-term partnerships, Tom Harrison, fl ags and banners in the fi eld, loud music and women of all over 500 children from schools around the country, visited Chief Executive Offi cer of ECB, said: “These new deals will ages dressed in bright neon t-shirts, the atmosphere was one Friday 4 August Lord’s on Tuesday 6 June for the annual MCC Spirit of Cricket deliver the partnership, distribution and investment that will Your Say - Cricket Playing of excitement and anticipation! Sam Rose and Rani Thiarra Bedfordshire’s cricketing network grows every year and we Open Day. The children were joined by Charlotte Edwards, fuel the future of our game, driving recreational, professional facilitated the event and made sure that all the women were now have more excellent volunteers working to ensure that Mark Nicholas, James Taylor and Chris Woakes as they took and international cricket for years to come.” Survey 2017 welcomed and knew what to do in all the games. Everybody cricket in the county continues to thrive. All clubs, leagues part in a range of different activities at cricket’s most famous got involved and gave cricket a go - it was a really fun evening and associations are invited to nominate anyone who they Please keep a lookout for details of how to enter this year’s venue, as well as attempting a Guinness World Records for the and interesting to see how competitive everyone was getting! feel deserves thanks in 7 award categories. Nomination survey which will go live within the next couple of weeks. largest cricket lesson in a single venue. Tyrone West, Denbigh’s Afterwards there was time to relax with a nice cold glass of forms and full criteria can be downloaded at: http://www. Cricket East wants every player (male and female), spectator Lead in PE/ Health & Development, said: “We were delighted Prosecco and some snacks and get to know each other better. bedscricket.co.uk/page/volunteers/oscas/oscas-2673/. and volunteer to have their say and help shape the future of to take 30 children from Denbigh Primary School to Lord’s Each woman, young and old, was surprised how much they Local category winners will receive a day out at Essex CCC on the game. It will only take a few minutes to complete and Cricket Ground. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for enjoyed playing cricket and asked when they could play again. 30 August watching a fi rst-class game and including lunch you will have chance to win great prizes! our pupils (we even had parents wanting to join their children), Elstow CC has a small group of women who were fed up with and OSCAs presentations. They will also be invited to attend learning about the Spirit of Cricket on a tour of the ground. The watching from the boundary and decided to learn to play the prestigious event at Lord’s in October. children were so excited it has inspired them in their literacy the game. After the success of this event, hopefully we have skills such as story writing. The children all came into school managed to attract some new recruits to our Tuesday evening the following day wearing their souvenir Chance to Shine training sessions – who knows, we may even have enough T-shirts while reliving the day with friends. The cricket zone women for a team soon! Following on from the success of this on our playground is now in even higher demand following a event, Elstow CC hope to run another Festival later on in the ECB Coaches Association day of fantastic facilities and not to mention meeting World summer.” National Conference Cup winning captain Charlotte Edwards. Thank you Chance to The next events are: Shine!” Pupils added “This was the best school trip ever!” and Cricket Unleashed has given the game in England and Wales • Eversholt Cricket Club on Friday 14 July starting 6pm. To “I have never felt so excited going to school”. a new direction and coaching is at the heart of igniting sign up, go to: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/m5q4ym/1Q. growth, inspiring participation and enhancing performance. For further information about what else is happening at St George’s Park will provide the backdrop to an excellent the Eversholt event (American 50s themed event), go to: opportunity for cricket coaches to broaden their knowledge http://fi les.pitchero.com/counties/42/1497434700.pdf by listening to and interacting with some of the top NatWest U19 Club T20 coaches and practitioners in the country exploring relevant • Bedford Cricket Club on Friday 21 July starting 6.30pm. and contemporary issues. For further details of this year’s To sign up go to: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/25qfkn/1Q It’s back for 2017! July sees the return of the NatWest U19 Club T20 competition, with over 600 clubs across England conference on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October, go to: • Ampthill Town Cricket Club on Friday 28 July starting and Wales taking part. This vibrant competition lets young http://ecb-comms.co.uk/2SWS-HLSU-4FG75C-91OQT-1/c. 6pm. To sign up, go to: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/ cricketers take ownership in their club to create the cricketing aspx. f5q2tc/1Q Coach Education 2017/18 Bedfordshire Cricket is pleased to announce its Coach experience they want – playing with their friends, fast lively Go to https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/376461 to fi nd out more Education programme for 2017/18. A Coach Support Worker matches, a great social atmosphere and a chance to make the about Women’s Soft Ball Cricket or to see other events that course will run in January at Bedford College and there will be club look and feel different for one night a week. Bedfordshire are happening throughout the summer. Reward your two ECB Certifi cate in Coaching Children’s Cricket courses, one teams will take part in two divisions: Beds/Cambs/Hunts starting in October (Wednesday evenings at Dunstable Town (Clifton, Eaton Socon, Southill Park and Royston Cricket volunteers Cricket Club) and the other starting in January (Saturdays Clubs) and Beds/Bucks (Eversholt, Leighton Buzzard Town and Stony Stratford Cricket Clubs). The clubs will play each Have you nominated your cricket volunteers at Bedford College). There will also be Coach Education other twice (home and away) to fi ght it out for a place in the for a NatWest Outstanding Service to Workshops on offer in November 2017 and January and March county fi nals (Semi and Final) at Eaton Socon CC on Sunday Cricket Award (OSCA)? The awards are aimed at recognising 2018. Please keep a lookout for details that will be posted to . For fi xtures go to: volunteers who give so much of their time to supporting our website soon and there will also be a new online booking 10 September http://ecbu19clubt20.play- cricket at recreational level. Deadlines for nominations are system. For further information email brad.matthews@ cricket.com/website/web_pages/180447 approaching. Please contact your local County Cricket Board bedscricket.co.uk or call 07884 060907. for further details and to nominate a volunteer. East Region Mini Matchplay Lashings XI vs Eversholt CC Cricket Pitch Renovation All clubs are invited to enter the 2017 Mini Matchplay on Eversholt Cricket Club will be hosting the world-famous Lashings World XI for the sixth time on Thursday 3 August! The schedule Tuesday 8 August hosted on the Cloudfm County Ground for the day will be: Day at Essex. It is open to mixed teams and will be a great 11am Junior Coaching Session with Lashings legends and Eversholt coaches (for further details and a booking form go to: http:// opportunity for kids to enjoy playing on a fi rst-class cricket All welcome at this free grounds event on Tuesday 18 July www.eversholtcricketclub.co.uk/lashings 9am-4pm at St. Albans School Woollams Trust, AL3 6BZ. The ground. There is a £20 entry fee per team. For details keynote speaker is Chris Wood (ECB Pitch Consultant). Places contact Chris Drummond on 01245 254027 or email chris. 12.30pm Bedfordshire vs Hertfordshire Disability Match (a fi rst!) are limited. To register, go to: http://www.hertscricket.org/ [email protected]. To enter your team, go to: 4pm Eversholt vs Lashings World XI T20 page/facilities/course-availability/course-availability-1350/. http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/regional-mini-matchplay- application-form/ Gates open at 12pm and entry will be with a programme only costing £5 per programme and there will be free parking.

Pictured: Langford CC Soft Ball Festival

Bedfordshire County Cricket Club July Volunteer for Spring 2018 Development charity Cricket Without Boundaries is Fixtures looking for volunteers to join them in fi ve African countries in 2018 to coach cricket to thousands of young people. Sun 16 July 11am: Lincolnshire CCC at Bedford Modern School Cricket is used in a completely unique way to raise Sun 30 July 11am: Norfolk CCC at Manor Park awareness around HIV/AIDS and FGM. For details, go to: http://cricketwithoutboundaries.com/news/188-coach- Details at: http://bedfordshireccc.play-cricket.com/ cricket-and-change-lives-in-africa.

Follow Bedfordshire Cricket DIARY Thursday 13 July Chance to Compete Under 15 Regional Finals at Springfi eld CC (Essex) Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd @BedsCricket Tuesday 18 July Kwik Cricket Regional Finals at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford driving and inspiring cricket DATES /bedscricket www.bedscricket.co.uk Sally Church, Editor Martin Darlow, Chief Executive Telephone: 01234 291824 • Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Trinity Arts & Leisure, Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2QD Mobile: 07760 171467