The dust had barely settled on Lord's, following Middlesex's incredible victory over Yorkshire in September, when an idea was born within the Middlesex office that is now being put to good use in recreational clubs, cricket projects and schools around the county!
One of the many perks that came with Middlesex being crowned Specsavers County Champions here at Lord's on the final day of the 2016 season is that we get to take ownership of the beautiful County Championship trophy.
Rather than have it gathering dust on a shelf here at Lord's over the winter months, Middlesex's Participation Team have been clocking up the miles taking the trophy around the county to meet children and young adults in an array of schools, projects and recreational clubs within Middlesex.
With several of Middlesex's Championship winning professional squad also lined up to accompany the trophy on it's county wide tour, as well as the club's lovable fluffy mascot, Pinky, the County Championship Trophy Tour is set to gather pace as the winter months pass by.
In the last four weeks This month the trophy has been to Fairholme Primary, Old Palace Primary, St Saviours Primary, Wood End Primary, Alperton Secondary, Harrow Women and Girls Project, 9th Kenton Club Scouts Group, Middlesex's Disability Trials Day, and the Wicketz programme.
With an ever increasing list of schools and clubs desperate to meet the trophy in the coming months, the Participation Team are set for a busy few months on the road ahead.
Sharon Eyers, Middlesex CCC's 'Head of Children and Fans' commented...
"With the entire Middlesex Participation team focussed on engaging with more youngsters within and around the county, with the ultimate aim of getting more of them playing the game and following Middlesex, we've had an amazing response wherever we've taken the trophy in the last month.
"We'll be going to a huge number of other schools and clubs over the coming months, with the players and with the mascot and the trophy is really helping to generate some genuine enthusiasm and excitement within each of the groups we've taken it to.
"It's not everyday that you get to touch, hold and have your picture taken with such a prestigious trophy as the County Championship trophy and to allow young kids the chance to do so is proving a huge hit".
If you're a recreational club or school that would like to meet the trophy and become a part of our 2016/17 winter County Championship Trophy Tour, then by all means drop Sharon an email to sharon.eyers@middlesexccc.com
