Warwickshire’s Junior Bears played a starring role at Edgbaston Stadium for the Bears’ home Vitality Blast fixture against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Sunday.
Following last month’s announcement that the Junior Bears programme had surpassed 1,000 members for the third successive year, 1,200 juniors were in attendance for Junior Bears Takeover Day, with 25 Junior Bears winning a competition to participate in different roles around the ground.
Roles included Junior Stadium Announcers, where they announced the teams to those in attendance, being involved in the coin toss live on Sky Sports, and as Junior Reporters, who got to interview Warwickshire and Australia star Beau Webster after the match.
On the day there were also Junior Ground Staff, Junior Photographers and Junior Graphic Designers, as well as there being a special Junior Bears Guard of Honour. Watch some of the highlights.
The Club’s youngest fans also pre-submitted drawn headshots of the team that were used as part of the Bears’ social graphics and squad announcements on the day, while also being featured on Sky Sports throughout the day.
Will Kerr, Warwickshire County Cricket Club Ticketing and Membership Manager, said: “Junior Bears Takeover Day is one of the highlights of the year for us as a Club, giving some of our youngest fans the opportunity to play a part on matchday at Edgbaston.
“From ground staff to conducting the post-match player interviews, all of our Junior Bears were brilliant.
“Hopefully we helped to create some memories for life and gave them even more enthusiasm for the game of the cricket.”
As part of the day, there was also a Kids Zone, live music, balloon modellers and face painters all on site.
The Bears’ players also took time out post-match to sign autographs and take photos.