Photo © ECC

As part of the European Development Program's support for development in Germany, the programme granted the request of the North-Rhine-Westphalia Cricket Union, and financed a new NottsSport pitch in the old Capital city of Bonn, which boasts two cricket clubs. For nearly twenty years all teams in NRW have been playing on provisional pitches or on the three pitches belonging to the British forces in Germany, the latter only being available on Sundays. With the formation of the NRWCU at the end of last year an ambitious programme has been undertaken and with the installation of the new Bonn pitch it has been possible to start a league with nine teams, friendly games and even practices during the week. The motivation of the all nine teams has increased enormously, and if we can get one more pitch we plan to take up to three more teams into the league.

Photo © ECC

The NRWCU is affiliated to the DCB (German Cricket Council) and works closely together with the DCB committee. We have already two players in the U19 trial squad (and hope they will be selected for the German team to play in Deventer in July!). We see the young players as our future, and have training courses during the week. We are also planning beginners cricket courses in Bonn and hopefully later in other towns.

The NRWCU lays particular emphasis on making cricket popular in this largest state in Germany, and every effort is made to support the game and to encourage the sportsmanship associated with cricket. We also participate in courses for umpires and trainers, to ensure that standards are maintained and improved. We hope to have our website up and running by the end of the season, and to link in to the ICC website.