The Team

Jeremy Knott: Why I’m going? To spread the magic of cricket and witness the shear joy of children playing and having fun. To leave a sustainable footprint behind. And to do what I can to combat the disastrous consequences of HIV/Aids in Africa.

Chris Guest: I am looking foward to the trip to Uganda with CWB for a number of reasons….I have coaching,playing and tutoring experience in this country and abroad however the opportunity to make a positive change on peoples lives through cricket is something that makes me extremely passionate about the CWB trip. I have also travelled to various parts of the world – however I have never been to Africa, from a personal point of view this is a brilliant opportunity to witness another culture whilst giving something to the people of the country. I am thoroughly looking foward to the 2 weeks with the Uganda team and hope that the trip leaves me with everlasting memories and experiences that are shared with others. I hope that when the project is completed a sustained impact is made on the people we come into contact with and promoting the HIV/Aids message whilst developing the game of cricket is the perfect opportunity to do this in my eyes!

Veronika Reeves: This is my fourth project and I find that I fall in love with Africa little bit more every time. I am relatively new to coaching, but that is not a problem, because the teachers and children that we coach are incredibly enthusiastic. I feel that we can make a real difference with our HIV/AIDS messages. As I said to one of our sponsors the other day – if only one child remembers to ‘be faithful to your partner’ or ‘abstain from a silly shot’, we have helped to save that life.

Jack Bennett: I am extremely excited to spend some time in Uganda, meeting new people and experiencing a different culture, and at the same time hopefully making a lasting impression upon the people there. I am hoping to gain some valuable coaching experience as well as some lasting memories of what will hopefully be the trip of a life time.

Michael Reeves: This is my fourth trip to Africa with CWB and the second time in Uganda. I coach at my local club in Sussex and first heard about CWB from an email from Andy Hobbs. Far from becoming routine, each trip throws up new challenges and fresh chances to make lasting friendships. I have become more aware of the influence that linking cricket with HIV/AIDS awareness can have and so I have become more involved with the trustees and other volunteers from CWB in trying to come up with clearer training and memorable drills for myself and other volunteers. This is my first time of being a project leader and I am looking forward to having think on my feet to find solutions to unforeseen circumstances!

Helen Whitehill: I’m worried that volunteering for CWB is becoming addictive. After attending the training weekend as an extra pair of hands to help in Birmingham I suddenly found myself booking a flight to Uganda! So with a decision made less than four weeks before the off date I been having a think about my motivations. I’ve always wanted to go on a trip to Uganda and now I’ve got my guidebook my intrigue about the country is growing. The photographs of the place look beautiful and the people sound warm and friendly. I am really looking forward to coaching some cricket again and doing some work on the ground. I am sure the trip will more than live up to my expectations.There’s a few things to get done between now and then, including some last minute fund raising. My very generous friends have all agreed to run the gauntlet with my cooking and I’ve got three dinner parties set up in three weeks. The plan is that I cook a meal from Jamie’s excellent new book and they all pay me what they think it was worth. Hopefully I won’t lose all my funds (and friends!) in some food poisoning related lawsuit. Watch this space, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Richard Davies: I am one of the original tutors for CWB undertaking the first project to Kenya and have been on four since. After 30 years in the private school system I decided earlier this year to take the plunge, sell up and move to Crete. Level 3 coach and tutor, one first class match for Warwickshire in the distant past. In the early 90’s I undertook four coaching visits to Uganda working on their schools development programme and numerous coaching visits to Kenya. Wonderful countries, great people and I’m sure you will all thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Unfortunately Mike Stratford won’t be able to join us. We hope you follow us on blog, Mike.