From left to Right.
Stephen Dey
This will be my first trip with CWB and although I’ve travelled extensively this will be my first time in Africa so I’m really looking forward to seeing Rwanda. I’ve always loved cricket watching England at home and abroad and have always regretted having never played, who knows maybe I’ll pick up a few tips myself on the trip. Is it too late to start a playing career in my 40’s? I think my knees and glass back would say so! My coaching experience is limited to helping out at the local village junior practice here in Huddersfield, but I’m a quick learner and full of enthusiasm so can’t wait to get cracking. My main reason however for joining this trip to help continue the great work of CWB in Rwanda and to help spread the HIV/AIDS message to as many people as possible, and hopefully make some new friends along the way.
David Murray
Joined us in the new year as the Charity's first CEO, after four years as Chief Executive at The Green Party – where he oversaw rapid growth of the party's membership and fundraising, and it's breakthrough into the UK parliament in the 2010 general election.
Speaking about his appointment, David said ''I am really excited about this appointment and feel privileged to have the opportunity to take such a fantastic charity onwards in its continued development. I want to help Cricket Without Boundaries to meet its ambitions to expand its operations to cover all of Sub-Saharan Africa so that we can reach many thousands more who are affected by HIV in their communities.''
Bill Allen
At 67, I expect I will be the "daddy" of the volunteer party and am a bit worried about whether I will be able to keep up with the young guns!
I have managed to stay reasonably fit (apart from the usual aches and pains and occasional "physical malfunctions" that accompany old age). I played Sunday League soccer until I was 62 – indeed I retired from work before I retired from playing football – and I walk and get out on my bike when family responsibilities allow me the opportunity.
I have no serious coaching experience but played a lot of league cricket and representative cricket in Lancashire until I was in my mid-thirties. I know I will probably be travelling with some accomplished cricketers but I bet I will be the only one who can say that he played in the same team as Garfield Sobers!
Other than that anecdote I am not sure what I will be able to contribute to the party. I was a journalist and provincial newspaper editor for more than 40 years but that was mostly back in the days of hot metal, linotype machines and broadsheets. The age of digital media came too late for me and has hardly captured my attention since (which explains why I have not been able to upload a photograph, as requested. Maybe I will get one of my grandchildren to show me).
This is my first go at volunteering, having looked for a while for something that captured my imagination. CWB promises that. Needless to say, it will also be my first visit to Rwanda and I am looking forward to both experiences.
Rob Jones
I'm 23 and this is my first trip with CWB. Possibly the first of many, who knows. I'm a complete cricket fanatic and qualified as a ECB Level 2 coach two years ago. I coached a seemingly infinite number of kids through my first club Maltby CC in Teesside and loved every minute of it. I'm looking forward to doing the same this summer at my new club Stockport Trinity CC. On the back of a Physics degree from the University of Manchester, I've decided to stay in my adopted city and am currently working as a Maths and Science tutor in Greater Manchester. I may be better at teaching algebra than a cover drive but I know which one I prefer doing! The prospect of bringing the joy of cricket to kids that really need it (along with the pleasant realisation that beer is £1 a pint in Rwanda) was all the convincing I needed to get involved with CWB. Can't wait to meet the rest of the team and get stuck in.
Tracey Davies
I am the CWB volunteer Kenya Country Manager, which means I get to help the teams prepare for the projects and support them throughout the process.
I previously worked for Essex Cricket as Head of Cricket Development, which was fantastic, however after returning from a CWB Kenya project I started a PGDip in Nursing at University of Southampton, this is to follow my recent realised dream of Nursing in Africa.
The Orphanages had a massive impact on me, their are 2.4 million Orphans in Kenya, 1.2 million due to AIDS.
CWB do a fantastic job in using cricket to teach HIV/AIDS awareness messages, this education to thousands of people that we will reach on the projects could save many from getting HIV/AIDS.
I am very sporty and I love to sing and dance, so as well as coaching cricket, I will also be singing and dancing with the children at every opportunity I get
Alan Hough
I am now semi-retired after over 40 years in the engineering business. Married with 2 children, my daughter in her first year at University and my son, aged 16 who is preparing for his GCSEs. I live near Derby and coach at Ockbrook and Borrowash C.C., currently looking after 2 junior sides and our Ladies team. I am a UKCC level 2 coach having decided to learn to coach after many years of playing.
I am a returning volunteer having gone to Uganda a couple of years ago with a great bunch of people.
Lee Booth
Growing up in Huddersfield has provided me with the ideal background for volunteering in developing countries, I have used this alongside my Level 3 cricket coaching to help take CWBs message to Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
This will be trip number 6 (or maybe 7) to Rwanda and as always I am looking forward to meeting old friends and seeing how the game is developing and helping to train the next generation of cricket coaches who will help to deliver the messages to the young about their future.
No doubt as always this trip will throw up memories that will last a lifetime from the heart breaking to the awe inspiring to the faintly ridiculous.
Amardeep Singh
I'm a Specialist Pharmacist at an HIV Clinic in Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich. I have also been HIV Specialist with CWB for just over a year. This will be my second trip with the charity, I visited Kenya in 2012. CWB combines two of my great passions, cricket and the fight against HIV. My cricket skills are limited to expertly delivered sledges, the batting, bowling, catching and throwing all lag behind unfortunately. Though I am beginning to get a hang of coaching. Alongside coaching, I hope to help develop our relationships with partner organisations that deliver HIV Awareness and Care to optimise that side of our operations in the country.
I can't wait to get out there now!.