Uppingham Cricket Club was today (Tuesday) presented with the 1,000the Clubmark Award by the England and wales Cricket Board.
The board's head of development, Pete Ackerley, made the presentation at the NatWest Series one-day international at Trent Bridge.
The board works in partnership with Sport England to deliver the pioneering Clubmark scheme created to develop a vib
rant and healthy club cricket infrastructure.
Clubmark ensures that best practice is observed and developed throughout cricket clubs across England and Wales. Clubs are required to present evidence and demonstrate implementation across four different themes, culminating in the production of a Club Development Plan.
The four themes are: Duty of Care and Safeguarding Children, The Cricket Programme, Sports Equity and Ethics and Club Management.
Speaking at Trent Bridge, Ackerley said: "I am very proud to be awarding the 1,00th Clubmark to Uppingham Town CC. These 1,000 clubs are an example to all that safeguarding youth develepment, improving facilities, sound planning and encouraging girls and widening the reach of the sport will form the platform on which all cricket in England and Wales can flourish.
"The ECB were the first governing body to launch such a scheme and the clubs have worked remarkably hard, together with their Cricket Development Managers, to reach their Clubmark status."
Uppingham Town CC have ambitious plans to improve facilities and increase attendance and participation at the club, and have already overseen a rise in their junior section from 65 in 2004 to 133 in 2008.
Uppingham CC are also planning to relocate their ground and grow their girls section which was formed last year.
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