The family event coincides with the fourth day of the second test.
CLUB manager Jason Court is hoping Ealing Cricket Club can rise from an England Ashes victory after signing up to hold an open day to coincide with this summer’s big Test series.
Nothing quite grips the nation like an Ashes series and with England aiming to keep the urn this summer, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) wants everyone to get in on the action.
By holding an open day clubs can attract new members, players, spectators and sponsors on Investec Ashes Saturdays or Sundays of their choice.
Court has revealed that Sunday, July 21 is to be Ealing’s designated Club Open Day, to coincide with the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s.
“We will be trying to do something on each of the weekends of the series, but the Sunday of the Lord’s will be our main one,” said 38-year-old Court, who has been club manager for three years.
Ealing will be inviting the local community to Crofton Road to enjoy the cricket whilst showcasing facilities, cricket-playing opportunities and everything else they have to offer – with guests able to keep an eye on the cricket out in the middle and on the TV.
Clubs who already have a Sky Sports subscription that host an Open Day will get £140 from the ECB towards their monthly subscription, while those new to Sky will be offered an exclusive subscription offer featuring a six-month break clause.
Court is hoping the scheme can help Ealing’s productive on-field action carry over away from the square.
“We are hoping to have a bouncy castle, face painting, a barbecue and our coaches will be in the nets,” he revealed.
“It will coincide with a match with the Middlesex Cricket Board development XI whose team has to feature eight under-21s. It gives us a chance to show what the club can offer and we hope that people come down and have a look.
“We anticipate that a lot of people from within our club will be there – but we don’t know how many we can attract from outside.
“It would be nice to attract some new people. We have an awful lot of kids but we struggle for adult members – and also girls – so we would love some of them to come down and take an interest.”
Mike Gatting knows how important the Ashes are, captaining England to success Down Under in the 1986/87 Series.
And in his role as ECB manager director of cricket partnerships he knows how crucial their Club Open Day could be to Ealing.
“This is not just a fantastic way to watch what I am sure will be a fantastic Ashes but also a great way for clubs to cement their places within the community,” Gatting said.
“The clubs themselves are important to the community as they keep kids off the street, bring people together and offer families the chance to enjoy sport and be healthy in a safe environment.”
To sign up your club for an Open Day and for more information on the benefits and support visit www.ecb.co.uk/clubopendays. A full list of clubs taking part will be put on the ECB website in July.
Photo courtesy of chelsea_steve, with thanks.
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