Looking to protect and grow the game
Four new Directors have joined the Cricket Shropshire Board as it looks to meet the challenges facing the game.
Dani Caine, Zeenat Kaji, Natasha Hird and Joe Leach were all elected at the Board’s annual meeting held in the pavilion at Wrekin College.
Zee, who plays her cricket at Madeley, will be the Director responsible for Women and Girls Recreational Cricket, while Natasha’s role will be to oversee the Women and Girls Pathway.
Dani, who is involved at Bridgnorth Cricket Club, is taking on the Youth and Schools portfolio, while former Worcestershire skipper Joe’s role will the Community and Disability.
Long-standing Finance Director David Blofield, who has been with the Board since 2006, and Trudie Bloor who has been responsible for Women and Girls cricket, stood down at the meeting, although David will still be involved behind the scenes.
Chairman Adrian Collins was also re-elected at the meeting, alongside Sacha Lee, who will continue the role as Safeguarding lead, although she is passing on her Youth and Schools responsibilities to Dani.
Adrian paid tribute to David and Trudie for their work with the Board, and also welcomed the new Directors.
He said: “I would like to thank both David and Trudie for their input. Trudie has been with us a relatively short time but has massively helped improve our Women and Girls offer.
“David has been the Finance Director for many years and has given superb advice and support throughout.”
He said cricket had been through a difficult period in the past couple of years.
“We have been in pandemic mode and in 2021 our activities reflected that and in Shropshire I think we have managed that very well.
“But cricket has had a bad Press with well-publicised issues in recent months and in Shropshire we are doing our bit to buck the trend and genuinely grow the game.
"We have to move beyond the damage that has been done to the game, with humility, and of course learning from mistakes that have been made.
“I am confident that with strong leadership and strategic planning, cricket can become the game of choice – we are doing our bit in Shropshire to make this happen.
“A major theme of our activity in the last year has been the launch of our work around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
“This has centred around training and significant progress has been made in Shropshire.
"Our work has been highlighted nationally as an example of best practice.”
He paid tribute to the stalwarts at clubs throughout the county, and also those involved at partner groups such as the Leagues, Officials, Coaches, Disability and the County Club, for all their hard work to keep the game running working in partnership with the Board.
He emphasised how important the various cricket organisations in the county are and what a fantastic job they do in helping cricket run so well, He also welcomed the contribution made by local authorities and the county sports partnership, Energise Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
“We also have a great team at the Board, ably led by Steve Reese; I’m astounded by the hours they put in seven days a week, all year round, delivering quality services.
“We have just run a recruitment campaign for new Directors, and I am pleased to welcome our four new colleagues who are of high calibre and will make a big difference.
“Cricket in Shropshire is thriving and the Board will be working hard to continue our successes and learn from failures so that the game is protected and grows in the future.”