At Edgbaston it’s all about the fans. From a place to come with family or friends, it’s also the ideal day out for cricket clubs or schools. The testimonial below comes from the Assistant Headteacher from Sandford Hill Primary School in Stoke , following their trip to Edgbaston for the NatWest T20 Blast game on July 14th.
“On Friday evening, we brought 30 children from Sandford Hill Primary School to Edgbaston to watch the T20 game between The Bears and The Steelbacks. Although the children have played cricket at school, it was their very first time that any of them had actually been to see a live game. What an amazing experience it was too. The children were really looked after throughout the game by the ‘helpers’ (the ladies and gentlemen in red t shirts) who could not have been more obliging. They were always on hand to help, going out of their way to provide each of them with an array of clappers, and sixes cards as well as fantastically funky headwear. They could not have been more helpful or more friendly and are a great credit to Warwickshire County Cricket Club. One of the helpers even shared out his chocolate with the children too and so, as I’m sure you can imagine, how well this was received. The game itself was also fabulous and the family friendly atmosphere really added to the occasion.
The fact that children’s tickets were free of charge has made the T20 event particularly accessible to schools
Ian Walford
When we got back home to Stoke, many of the children were hoarse from singing along so enthusiastically to the top tunes being played at the ground. As they walked towards their homes, the chants of “You Bears….’ could still just be heard. It really was a pleasure to bring children to an event such as this, and I very much look forward to bringing school parties to Edgbaston in the future. The fact that children’s tickets were free of charge, has made the T20 event particularly accessible to schools, in days where budgets are squeezed very tightly. All of the members of staff who accompanied the children on the evening said what a success the trip was and how enjoyable it had been for both themselves and the children. One of our pupils, Nathan, was even chosen as ‘The Fan of The Match’ and so this really was the icing on the cake. The lady and gentlemen who accompanied myself and Nathan to receive his award, were both really kind and enthusiastic and genuinely pleased to note whom the award was to be presented too. The four tickets to Drayton Manor, were very gratefully received and for them to be presented pitch side and then to be interviewed was an experience which I think will stay with Nathan for a very long time.
Coming back in to school on Monday morning, the visit really has been ‘the talk of the playground’ and I would add, the talk of the staffroom too. The whole experience was fabulous from start to finish and is one, which I am confident, will have created Bears fans for life. Many thanks indeed for such an incredible experience. We’ve had some fantastic feedback from parents through our Twitter and Facebook feeds and so we are determined to visit again in the future. All of us who accompanied the children, will wholeheartedly recommend a trip to the T20 to the other schools in Stoke. “
