Durant Cricket full of praise for cricket's unsung heroes

Durant Cricket have visited hundreds of clubs over the years, and as a team have a wealth of experience from playing the game themselves.

One thing that they find time and time again is that without the hard work of volunteers at clubs all over the country, recreational cricket would not be possible.

It is often the case that the person looking after the pitch and facilities at the club is an ‘unsung hero’ which is why Durant are pleased to both support these individuals and sponsor awards that reflect their contribution to the game.

"We support quite a few things, with yourselves, looking at your groundcare section you have some groundcare heroes there," Cristian Durant, company founder, told us.

Cricket World had a great response to the first season of the Club & Ground Heroes, with people writing in telling us why their nominees should be rewarded.

We shared some of those with Durant, who adds: "It's great to see so many clubs writing in and giving good stories about the guys that help out on the grounds – there are some really passionate people who don't get, or probably don't want, as much exposure as they should do.

"Without those guys there really wouldn't be any cricket - coaches running sessions is great but the guy that's down there on a Monday morning brushing the wicket off and getting it ready for juniors on a Monday or Tuesday night is a real hero of the club."

Durant feels the support of those people giving up their time to ensure everything runs smoothly come matchday is massively important, and hopes that the next generation are ready to take over in the future.

"From a personal point of view, what we do without those guys when they get a bit older and decide not to do it I'm not sure.

"It really is something we should look to encourage and give them a lot of credit for what they do.

"We keep talking about dropout rates in cricket but the area of grounds is really something that has to be looked at."

And with people seemingly have even less time on their hands, it is a legitimate concern, which is why Durant feels those that do manage to put the time in deserve enormous praise and encouragement.

"People have less time these days admittedly. It does take time, you can't buy that - you need somebody that is down there on a Monday and Tuesday morning tidying up the ground.

"We all take that person for granted and don't realise the amount of time and effort they put in.

"I think it's important we say thank you, they aren't the kid of people that want their name up in lights, just an appreciation of what they do goes a long way."

© Cricket World 2016