“As a volunteer, I want to be there for the youngsters coming through the system in the same way Kieron came through.”
Handsworth CC hit the headlines recently as the club became the first location outside London to deliver the ACE Programme, encouraging greater participation in cricket by players of African and Caribbean heritage.
Currently, there are 45 children signed up to ACE sessions at Handsworth CC, enjoying cricket sessions twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. Whilst those sessions are delivered on the pitch, it’s time to head into the Handsworth CC pavilion and meet volunteer administrator Jackie Buchanan. Jackie is one of the many volunteers across Birmingham and Warwickshire working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure cricket clubs keep running effectively.
After many years of supporting her son Kieron through the youth section at Handsworth CC, Jackie is now enjoying seeing nineteen year old Kieron take an active role as a senior player and coach at the club. Kieron is also an integral part of the coaching team delivering the ACE Programme.
Jackie talks to WCB about volunteering at Handsworth CC, how the ACE Programme is developing, and the future vision for the club.
What is your role at Handsworth CC, Jackie?
My main responsibilities are around organising youth fixtures, Sunday fixtures, friendly matches and membership matters. I also help with running the bar, housekeeping, communications and giving out information to anyone who needs it. I like to get things done!
I have taken my Level 1 Foundation coaching course, so I have also helped coaching and managing in the junior section. When we held the ACE Programme launch here at Handsworth CC recently I was heavily involved organising the registration and providing information connected with the event.
How did you first become involved at Handsworth CC?
I have been coming to the club since 1985, but it was only when I moved back from London in 2004 that I began to consider becoming more involved. When Kieron was six years old and started playing cricket seriously, Eaton Gordon suggested to me that I come and take a position volunteering at the club. I have been here ever since and seen Kieron progress through all the age groups in junior cricket into senior cricket and coaching.
How is delivery of the ACE Programme going?
It’s going really well. Numbers have continued to grow since the programme was launched in May. Kieron coaches the younger children on Mondays and Fridays, alongside Eaton and Recordo Gordon. We are getting more and more children each week, as word spreads in schools and generally by word of mouth. Many are new families with no previous connection to the club. Being present in schools is important for bringing new people in. Kieron has done well in cricket, but I wish programmes like this had been around when he was young to encourage more people to take up the sport.
What are your thoughts about the future at Handsworth CC?
Our vision is to get back into the Birmingham Premier League and bring about a situation where we also have a lot of youngsters in the first team who have come through the youth section at the club. A strong youth section is part of the vision and delivering the ACE Programme at Handsworth CC will help with that.
What have you personally gained from your involvement volunteering at the club?
I have developed my love of cricket and been able to support the sport and Handsworth CC. As a volunteer, I want to be there for the youngsters coming through the system in the same way Kieron came through. We are both proud of each other and are happy to have been able to share our journey.
Jackie Buchanan is incredibly modest in her interview. Seeing Jackie in action at the ACE Programme launch event, it is immediately obvious she is the glue that binds everything together at Handsworth CC. When Jackie says she “loves to get things done”, she means it.
Eaton Gordon, WCB Community Development Manager, says of Jackie, “I have known Jackie for many years and during that time she has given so much to Handsworth CC behind the scenes with her tireless work on the administrative side at the club. We owe Jackie, and all volunteers like her in clubs, many thanks and our sincere appreciation.”
