For the past two years, the daughter of Russ Cuddihy, Victoria and Paul Newton, junior cricket co-ordinator of Great Harwood Cricket Club, have organised a fundraising junior tournament in memory of Russ who passed away in July 2020 aged 80.

Russ had been heavily involved in cricket from a young age as a player through to early 2020 when he continued to coach the newly formed
women’s team that Victoria had kickstarted at Great Harwood CC along with Lancashire legend Jack Simmons. Russ played at local clubs Accrington CC, East Lancs CC and came out of retirement to play for Great Harwood CC in his 50s.

Russ was also a well-respected cricket coach through his own company Elite Cricket Coaching through which he visited schools across the North West introducing and coaching cricket to youngsters. He was a strong advocate for supporting grassroots cricket and believed that all children should be given the opportunity to try the sport to go on to be the players of the future.

On the day of the junior tournament, a raffle is held to raise funds and it is thanks to the fantastic generosity of local businesses
and individuals for providing raffle prizes and the families who took part, approximately £600.00 was raised in both 2021 and 2022. The proceeds from the 2021 tournament were donated to East Lancs Hospice where Russ received care in the final weeks of his earthly life. However it was felt that funds raised in 2022 and going forward should be used to continue Russ’ legacy of supporting grassroots cricket.

As such, earlier this year, £100.00 was donated to Great
Harwood Cricket Club to contribute towards the cost of providing winter nets training for the junior teams. The remaining funds and those raised going forward are secured in this justgiving page, RFC Grassroots Cricket, linked to the not for profit organisation Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF). With thanks to the help of and collaboration with Jen Barden of LCF, it is the intention that funds will support young players and their families as they progress into the sport by helping to secure the kit required through the provision from supporting suppliers and brands and also organising 'kit amnesties' whereby players of all ages can donate their preloved kit and equipment which can then be redistributed to help other players.

Victoria and her family know only too well how costly this can be as her son, Max, is a promising young player at club level and within
the Lancashire pathway and hopes that these funds will help other cricketing families to support their son or daughter continue to play the sport they love.

“Max has loved playing cricket from a young age and we
obviously support him on his journey to, hopefully, achieving his dreams in the sport. But there’s no denying that it can cost. Especially when children grow as quickly as they do which means that new kit is required. It is our hope that we can help support families with their child’s kit so they don’t feel like they have to potentially quit the sport because of the monetary involvement. My Dad was passionate about grassroots cricket and enabling all children to have a go and hopefully develop the love of cricket that he, and we, have. If we can help that in any way, then not only is that continuing his legacy, but it’s
also helping the players of the future”

The Russ Cuddihy Memorial Tournament will take place this
year on Saturday 1^st July hosted at Great Harwood Cricket Club.
Several local clubs will come along with a 6 a side team of mixed under 9s, under 11s and under 13s, a unique format devised by Paul Newton and which provides an excellent opportunity for younger players to learn from and play alongside older players and the older to help the younger. The day has proven to be a great day for all – players and families – to enjoy the game, socialise, enjoy the sunshine (hopefully), have a few drinks from the bar and some good food from the onsite Green Café with of course the raffle to provide
those all important funds.

If you would like to nominate your child to receive help
with their kit and equipment or if your club would like to be involved or if you or your business/workplace would like to donate a raffle prize, please contact Victoria on victoriacuddihy@googlemail.com.
Please note that all nominations will be held in the strictest confidentiality and care by Victoria and the LCF team.

Similarly, if you would like to donate to this fund to also support the cause, we thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness!

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