Somerset have just launched their Young Cricketers Patron Scheme with the specific aim of giving club members and the general public an opportunity to support Somerset Youth Cricket.

Somerset Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me: "The Somerset Young Cricketers Patron Scheme is simply a `membership' scheme. Somerset Youth Cricket is seeking to attract Patrons to offset the cost of youth squad matches, the Corner system, associated coaching programmes and school competitions. There are no restrictions on who can become a Somerset Young Cricketers Patron."

Andrew Moulding continued: "The scheme is aimed at all supporters of Somerset Youth Cricket. These could be club cricketers, County Cricket Club members, former Somerset players, parents, grandparents, etc. Basically, anyone who wishes to help the next generation of Somerset cricket to flourish can do so by becoming a Somerset Young Cricketers Patron."

Mr Moulding concluded: "We would like to think that potential patrons will come forward and support young cricketers from grassroots to professional cricket."

The cost of becoming a Somerset Young Cricketers Patron is just £15. In return, as well as supporting a very worthwhile cause which in the past has produced a number of players currently on the staff including Marcus Trescothick, Rob Turner, Keith Parsons and Matt Bulbeck, Patrons will receive their own distinctive maroon tie featuring the Somerset dragon, a Somerset Cricket Board fixture card, a Somerset Cricket Board newsletter (3 per year) and a copy of the Somerset Young Cricketers review which contains details of the seasons performances.

Anybody interested in joining the Somerset Young Cricketers Patron Scheme or helping with Somerset Youth Cricket in anyway should contact Andrew Moulding at the Centre of Excellence, The County Ground, Taunton, Somerset , TA1 1JT. (telephone 01823 352266).

© SOMERSET