EDM with Folmer Christiansen and Ivan Thomsen Photo © ECC

The EDM traveled to Denmark on the weekend of 15-17 November to discuss plans for the forthcoming Indoor Championships (due to be held in Herning, Jutland, from 14-16 February) with the tournament organisers. Club development at Herning CC has been ongoing since 1950. Much of that period has seen unparalleled commitment from club Chairman Folmer Christiansen and Youth Development Officer Ivan Thomsen, both pictured here with the EDM, when he took time out from his meetings relating to the Indoor Championships to visit the ground to inspect a recently laid Notts Sport pitch, laid in a remarkable six hours, following tremendous support from the local commune. This project reflected a successful four-way partnership between club, commune, DCF and the ICC EDP.

Folmer explained that "the young boys no longer go in the nets - they simply love to play on the artificial pitch. The pitch plays very well and offers even bounce and pace." He went on to show the EDM and Indoor Championships Tournament Director, David Jukes, around the clubhouse, which had seen many generations of cricketers. Various development ideas were shared, and Folmer agreed to put on a presentation on club development (and provide a traditional Danish feast) for all the delegates attending the European Administration and Management Forum, which will run alongside the Indoor Championships from 13-16 February - certainly something to look forward to.

EDM hands over cheque for Svanholm CC covers to J¯rgen Holmen Photo © ECC

The EDM also found time in his schedule to hand over a cheque in support of a successful project to provide new covers to the recently laid turf pitches at Svanholm CC - Denmark's leading club - a 10-minute drive from Copenhagen. Past Chairman of the DCF and current member of the ECC Executive, J¯rgen Holmen, gratefully accepted the cheque covering almost 50% of the overall costs of the project, which will allow the national team much needed playing experience on grass pitches and advance the quest to host Cheltenham and Gloucester one day matches in the future.

S¯ren Nissen, Svanholm CC President and long standing DCF committee member, guided the EDM around the impressive ground and clubhouse. The EDM was suitably impressed: "the quality of the outfield is simply superb (setting a standard for the new Lord's outfield!) and remarkable progress has been made in gaining a consistent grass covering of the pitches since the EDP supported a visit by MCC Head Groundsman, Mick Hunt, earlier in the year. I know that the ECC U13-1st Division Tournament, due to be staged at Svanholm CC in July, will offer all players and officials a memorable experience, and will no doubt pave the way for annual European tournaments at all age levels to be held here."

EDM with Christian Thorup and Rasmus Christensen Photo © ECC

With the covers due to be delivered and ready for the start of next season, the DCF remains optimistic that they will assist in Team Denmark's preparations ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series group two tournament in the USA. Preparations were already under way at the time of the EDM's visit, and he took the opportunity to attend a preliminary session involving players, coaches and administrators. Two of Denmark's up and coming young players, Christian Thorup and Rasmus Christensen, were present. The two will shortly be flying out to Port Elizabeth in South Africa, supported by the ICC EDP, where they will team up with a variety of talented cricketers from the UK, Europe and a number of Associate countries around the world. Both cricketers were excited, although a little daunted, by the prospect, yet looked forward to progressing their cricketing careers and returning to Denmark much improved in readiness for the challenge in the USA.