The NatWest Cricketforce weekend in April is fast approaching, and already more than 2,000 clubs have registered, an unprecedented number. And, as the ECB point out, the extensive wet weather this winter has added significance to this year's renovations.

From Friday to Sunday 4-6 April tens of thousands of club members and volunteers will be encouraged to clean, tidy, repair and revitalise clubhouses and cricket grounds before the season starts.  NatWest Bank, sponsors of this initiative now in its 13th year, say that in addition to bringing players, members and the community together, the CricketForce programme will result in several million pounds worth of time and resource being invested into clubs.  
 
Clubs registered in the scheme can access exclusive discounts on a range of cricket and ground equipment through ECB partnerships with multiple key suppliers. NatWest are entering every club into a draw offering  'Famous Friday' packages to three winners. The prize includes a free 12-month subscription to Sky Sports and a visit from an ex-England cricket legend to the clubhouse one Friday night to watch a NatWest T20 Blast match.  
 
The ECB chief executive David Collier said: “NatWest CricketForce continues to grow every year, and it is fantastic to see that clubs clearly value the initiative as a way to make sure that they start the season on the front foot.”

Former England captain and ECB’s managing director of cricket partnerships, Mike Gatting, said: “The challenges presented by the nationwide floods at the start of this year, means that the 2014 NatWest CricketForce effort is more important than ever before.  Cricket clubs across the country represent the lifeblood of the sport, and it is hugely important that we all pull together and look after playing facilities.”
 
Forton CC in Shropshire have been selected for a NatWest CricketForce 'showcase' event on Friday, 4 April.  
 
For more information about how to register for NatWest CricketForce:
www.ecb.co.uk/natwestcricketforce
 
NatWest Famous Fridays:
www.natwest.com/cricket