Pool girls pitch in for a share of £18,000 pay out

It is hard work building a club, and it is not easy trying to set up a women and girls' section when tradition is against you but that is exactly that Pool CC has done.

From a time five years ago when a couple of girls used to go along to junior training, the club now has girls under-9s, u-11s, u-12s, u-16s and a senior team all playing under the name of Pool Pumas. It is hoped that the 2007 season will see the start of an under-7s team who will play in friendly games.

Wendi Bolton, Child Welfare Officer at Pool CC and one of the driving forces of the clu,b said: "It has taken us a long time to get to this stage and some days you get frustrated that things aren't moving fast enough or people aren't being as supportive as you would hope. We have been very lucky that Pool CC has been very supportive and we are now a fully integrated part of the club committee and of the social life at the club.

"The main thing that has kept us going is the buzz you get from seeing the girls enjoying playing cricket and socialising together. This is why we are determined to develop a pathway for them to continue to play cricket for a long time and to reach their full potential in the game.

"There are many factors that have assisted our development, not least the support of the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB), Yorkshire Women's Cricket Association (YWCA) and latterly Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) who have guided and supported us through the process. However, the key factor in our development has been the committed and growing team of volunteers who give their time freely to support the club and the girls - we couldn't do it without them!"

The Club feels that having women and girls involved has been a welcome development.

Club Chairman, Richard Parker, said: "We're very proud as a club to have our girls and ladies and to have so many youngsters of both sexes playing the game.

"One of the other key things that the club attributes its progress to is the fact that they are proactive in taking and maximising the opportunities available to them.

"The latest opportunity Pool seized earned them the chance to appear on National television.

"Wendi was driving to work when she heard a request on the radio for people to ring in if they wanted the chance to pitch for a share of a £1 million pot of money put up my a number of well-know millionaires. She was on the phone straight away checking it wasn't a hoax.

"Literally the next day a small delegation from Pool was in a room in Leeds being interviewed and only a few weeks later the group were in Manchester presenting their pitch to the show's producers. Their performance must have impressed as it earned them an invitation to London to film the show for real."

The millionaire panel includes author and former politician Jeffrey Archer, Scottish entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, Ann Summer's founder Jacqueline Gold, Crystal Palace Chairman and owner Simon Jordan and the MOBO's founder Kanya King.

Their role is to decide who, of those standing before them, is deserving of a share of the massive cash sum.

On the day of filming Club Chairman, Richard Parker, Wendi and two parents took 20 of the girls to the London studios. All were dressed in club colours with some in full batting gear.

As you can imagine the nerves were flying, and on the TV experience Wendi Bolton said: "I have never experienced anything like it, it was surreal and everything happened so fast. Before we knew it we were stood in front of the panel with some familiar faces having to pitch for a huge sum of money that would mean everything to the girls and to the club.

"The girls were asked a number of, sometimes difficult, questions and we were all extremely proud of the mature way they answered. We all got so passionate about what we were saying that many of us had tears rolling down our faces. At least the panel members could tell that we were serious about what we were trying to achieve."

Katie Briggs who was in the group of players involved on the day said: "It was a nerve-racking experience as the tension built towards our pitch but it was also great fun and a day I will never forget. I can't wait until January 30 when the result is announced when hopefully we will be celebrating a great result."

Everyone is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the programme to be aired on Tuesday January 30 on ITV, 8pm to 9pm, but whatever happens Pool CC have shown how taking a risk and being active enough to take your opportunities, whether successful or not, can open up a whole new raft of experiences and be great fun to boot.

Tony Bowry, YCB Cricket Development Manager (West Yorkshire) and West Yorkshire Women and Girls' Association President, attended the filming in London to show his support for Pool.

He said: "It was an experience of unbelievable proportion. There were several other groups and individuals bidding for funding for various good causes but Pool CC gave an outstanding presentation and received rapturous applause from a huge audience, most of whom were in tears, including myself.

"Their task was to convince at least three of the panel that theirs was a sustainable cause and would create participation and development of cricket for women and girls throughout the region leading to the development of players for England.

"If the money is awarded it will mean that Pool's dreams will be realised and then there will be real tears of joy."

Sarah Pickford,YWCA Vice-Chairman, said: "I have to say that this is typical of Pool CC. Where many others wouldn't have even noticed the radio ad or would have shied away from ringing up for more information Wendi was straight on the phone checking that the ad wasn't a joke and putting her pitch in right there and then.

"Yorkshire Women's Cricket Association are excited to hear that Pool has been invited to pitch for the money particularly as the funds are so badly needed to make the club more female friendly. If successful, this would allow Pool Pumas to continue to develop and grow and to offer many more opportunities for women and girls to participate in cricket in safe and enjoyable surroundings."