Steeton Cricket Club is preparing to take part in NatWest Cricket Force on Saturday, an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) initiative with NatWest, aimed at rejuvenating local cricket clubs and giving volunteers an opportunity to get involved.

Steeton are expecting 50 plus volunteers, including players from all three senior teams and the five junior teams plus the clubs officials and supporters, to assist with painting, cleaning and general maintenance of the clubhouse and ground. The work will start at 11am.

NatWest Cricket Force is the biggest annual volunteering event in sport and is set to attract enough volunteers to fill Lord's Cricket Ground three times over (80,000).

David Proctor, Steeton CC Club Development Officer said: "NatWest Cricket Force will enable much needed work to take place at Steeton CC ensuring the 2008 season gets off to the best possible start. All we ask is that volunteers each give half an hour of their time on the 5th. As they say, many hands make light work.

"All players start their cricket careers at local clubs and it is crucial that we support the game's development. Good facilities and a fun environment can be the difference between youngsters staying with cricket or not and NatWest Cricket Force helps make clubs a real focus for community sports activities and volunteering opportunities."

To this end Steeton are running a cricket competition for U-11s on the day from 11am to entertain the children while their parents get on with the work. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Local organisations have also signed up to support the project including Morrisons and Rendezvous Hotel who have donated a dinner, bed and breakfast package which will be given as a prize to one of the volunteers on the day.

Dave Leighton, ECB club programmes manager, said: "We saw clubs do more for themselves in two days last year than they had for years before. It made a real difference, including increased revenue, improved facilities, increased participation and a great sense of community spirit."

Helen Page, Marketing Director, NatWest Retail Markets said: "The impact NatWest Cricket Force has in local communities exceeds expectations every year.

"The massive effort clubs, players, volunteers and our own bank staff put into this single weekend can benefit facilities nationwide for years to come."