ALVANLEY are concentrating on the future through their involvement in a national project for cricket clubs to upgrade their facilities.

As one of Cheshire's 'focus' clubs, Alvanley have signed up for England and Wales Cricket Board's NatWest CricketForce event on April 2-3.

And club officials are trying to recruit local businesses and volunteers to help by committing time and resources to the scheme.

Improving off the field is seen as a key element to the club development and playing success.

Club spokesman Chris Fletcher said: 'Despite our rural location and the recent decline in league status at 1st XI level, we are recognised as one of the better-run clubs in Cheshire in terms of administration, fiscal prudence and playing facilities.

'We have achieved Clubmark status, which recognises the effort the club takes in making itself a safe environment for children to safely learn the game and have fun, too.

'Hence, we enjoy the status of a focus club - there are less than 20 in Cheshire and only a few hundred in England.'

Fletcher added: 'To improve the standard of cricket played by the senior teams, we need to strengthen our squad of players, both in terms of quantity and quality.

'Part of the process of attracting new players is to make available facilities that are attractive for playing and socialising.

'This is also a prerequisite for encouraging parents of junior players and their extended families to come to support the club on matchdays, in fundraising and by attending social events.

'Keeping juniors playing beyond their adolescence is a challenge in itself. We want our existing youth-team players to stick with the game and want to develop their playing career at Alvanley.'

Anyone interested in volunteering or helping with sponsorship can contact Chris Fletcher, tel 01928 725611.