npower Urban Cricket and Nottinghamshire youngsters set a New World Record
England bowler Graham Onions joined Nottinghamshire players Samit Patel, Paul Franks and Matt Wood and cricketing legends Devon Malcolm and Mike Gatting as 2010 schoolchildren from over 60 Nottinghamshire and Nottingham schools descended on Nottingham Racecourse to set a world record in partnership with npower Urban Cricket on 30 June 2010.
The partnership between Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and npower, with support from a range of local organisations, has resulted in the Guinness Book of Records confirming a new world record for the largest number of people playing cricket in the same place at the same.
The event, which attracted national and local media, involved 2010 schoolchildren playing three rounds of Urban Cricket in 105 pitches across nine zones with each zone providing a champion team. Facilitating and co-ordinating the event involved over 200 volunteers, including volunteers from npower’s Staythorpe Power Station in Nottinghamshire.
Every child received an npower Urban Cricket t-shirt and an npower Urban Cricket kit - complete with bat and ball - to celebrate their world record involvement. Each school also received Urban Cricket kits to inspire even more youngsters to play cricket.
In addition, the event raised £4,500 in total for two local charities – Trent Bridge Community Sports Trust and Cerebral Palsy Sport.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant to see so many children enjoying a game of cricket and everyone has had a great time. This sort of provision didn’t exist when I was growing up but schemes like npower Urban Cricket have helped to provide equipment and facilities to develop the next generation of cricketers.” said Graham Onions
Paul Franks commented: “The level of organisation was remarkable and there was some very impressive talent on show. Everyone involved in this event should be proud of what they have achieved.”
