The fellowship has expanded dramatically, and offers frequent opportunities to visit distant parts of the world to participate in or spectate at cricket matches, and to enjoy the hospitality of and develop friendships with other members and their associates. Through frequent tours to and by other countries, strong friendships have developed. British Rotarians have opportunities to see Rotary in action in other parts of the world, and to develop personal connections and co-operate with overseas Rotarians in implementing worthwhile projects.
As you might expect of Rotarians, most of the players are past their prime, and to ensure that players of varying ages and ability are offered a decent opportunity to participate, in many matches normal rules are amended, eg. batsmen are required to retire on reaching an agreed maximum score. Nevertheless, competitive instincts remain strong. Australians still relish beating the Poms - but regardless of events elsewhere, the Rotary Ashes will remain in Britain until 2009!
GB&I members come from most parts of the country, including Scotland (see the flying Scots, illustrated), and over the next couple of years we will be working to develop membership in Ireland as well.
Mission Statement
IFCR GB&I’s objectives are to act as a focal point for GB & I Rotarians who play and / or love cricket, and
FOR PLAYERS
FOR NON-PLAYERS
World Festivals & Tours
A GB & I team has been to each of the World Festivals, which have taken place in Fordingbridge, England (1997), Chennai, India (1999), Christchurch, New Zealand (2002), Hunter Valley, Australia (November 2004), and Colombo, Sri Lanka (August 2007). The Sixth World Festival is being planned for Durban, South Africa in March 2010 with the opportunity to tour elsewhere in South Africa thereafter.
In addition there have been GB & I tours to India, South Africa, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand. The latter even included a game in Los Angeles en route to Auckland. Members have also participated in Rotary matches in Pakistan and Fiji, and interest is developing in Bangladesh and Philadelphia, USA (which cricket historians know has a very old cricketing tradition).
We have hosted several tours from both Australia and New Zealand, with the South Africans due in 2008. Tours can last up to about 3 weeks and include some ‘home hosting’, (a wonderful way to make lasting friendships), visits to local places of interest, some wine and beer tasting, oh and some cricket. We try to ensure a reasonable balance between cricket and other holiday activities.
New Members Wanted
New members, especially 50 year olds who are still playing cricket, are desperately wanted. As with the Rotary Movement as a whole, the average age of the UK team has risen in recent years. However, if you are reasonably fit, and still want to play gentlemen’s cricket, you are very welcome.
At the Christchurch Festival, the ages of the players from countries around the World ranged from 25 (Sri Lanka) to 82 (New Zealand). The majority of the Playing Members are over 50, and we are always looking for new players.
Usually Playing Members are from 2 sources: -
Membership Fees
Anyone with an interest in cricket, either as a player, umpire, scorer or supporter is very welcome to join. So why not find out more by contacting either: -