Walking Cricket Group Hit For Six In Search For New Members

A walking cricket group is in danger of folding, unless more players are found.

The group, which meets on Fridays from 1pm-3pm at Go Active @ The Arc, in Clowne, is struggling to find enough people to play.

There are currently just eight regular members, but more are needed to make up a game.

Walking cricket is an adaptation of the traditional game of cricket, with no running involved, and players using a soft ball and plastic bats and stumps.

It caters for different abilities, which makes the game highly inclusive.

Players say they have developed real “camaraderie and friendship” and would be disappointed to have to give up the game if they can’t make up the numbers.

Andy Portwood, from Creswell, took up the sport when it started at the centre two-and-a-half years ago.

The 57-year-old, who is semi-retired and follows the England cricket team, said: “It’s more of a gentle game for those of us who are a bit older. It’s more relaxed, informal and less competitive.

“It’s a bit of fun and something to do on a Friday afternoon. It’s a nice group and we get on well together. We work well as a team and have really improved over the last few years.

“I would be really disappointed if the group had to end. I’ve been doing it nearly every week since it started.”

A walking cricket group is in danger of folding, unless more players are found.
The group, which meets on Fridays from 1pm-3pm at Go Active @ The Arc, in Clowne, is struggling to find enough people to play.
There are currently just eight regular members, but more are needed to make up a game.
Walking cricket is an adaptation of the traditional game of cricket, with no running involved, and players using a soft ball and plastic bats and stumps.
It caters for different abilities, which makes the game highly inclusive. — Pic credit: Bolsover District Council

Ian Ridgway, from Killamarsh, is a life-long cricket fan who played for his work’s team when he was a bus driver in Rotherham.

The 63-year-old dad-of-two, who played for the second 11 at Kiveton Park in Rotherham, took up the sport two years ago.

Ian said: “It’s a good laugh and I’ve got to know the guys that play. It’s fantastic camaraderie and good exercise.

“I’ve had health issues that stopped me doing certain things – I had a bad knee injury through a fall at work and I can’t run about, but this is ideal.”

He added: “We’ve had to cancel games a few times as we’ve just not had enough players. With four players, you can just about do it, but we really need more.

“I would be very, very sad about it if it had to end.”

The group is accessible to all, with two female players and members aged up to their 70s.

Additional players are needed to start from September.

Councillor Mary Dooley, Bolsover District Council’s portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Our offering at The Arc is varied and caters to all ages and abilities.

“It would be a real shame if the Walking Cricket Group had to come to an end. The benefits to players are wide-ranging – players tell us it improves their physical health and mental wellbeing, increases their confidence and also stops them from being isolated.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of getting involved to come along and give it a try.”

The cost of each session is £4 to non-members or free to members of the Arc’s Household Membership scheme.

To find out more, please call Tom Lodge, Bolsover District Council’s Physical Activity and Sports Development Officer, on 01246 242364 or email Tom.Lodge@bolsover.gov.uk

Source: https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/your-world/walking-cricket-group-hit-for-six-in-search-for-new-members-8915842

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