THE Gloucestershire Cricket Board will be able to deliver cricket coaching programmes in 20 extra schools this year after raising more than £2,500 at its annual golf day.

The event at Cirencester Golf Club featured teams made up of businesses and supporters from across the county including Gloucestershire CCC director of cricket John Bracewell and players Hamish Marshall and Will Gidman.

GCB chief executive Steve Silk said: “It was a wonderful day and we are hugely grateful to Cirencester Golf Club and all the teams who took part for their support. As a not-for-profit organisation the money we can raise through sponsorship and events like this is vital in helping us improve grass roots cricket across the county.

“The money raised will allow us to expand our coaching in schools and help us introduce more children to the game.”

Sixteen teams took part in the golf day with ‘Great Balls of Fire’ the four-ball that included Steve Silk, and GCB head of performance Tim Hancock taking the team prize. Former Gloucestershire batsman Hancock also triumphed in one of the closest to the pin competitions.

George Seatter of Cirencester firm Aimteq Energy Management was the individual winner. His company, whose group included Hamish Marshall, were also the unofficial best-dressed team with shirts, caps and umbrellas printed for the occasion. They also won two silent auctions for tables at Gloucestershire CCC matches in Bristol and Cheltenham.

GCCC director of cricket John Bracewell, who played with the Bristol Audi team, said he was delighted to be able to support the GCB’s work.

He said: “For Gloucestershire to be successful at all levels it is essential that we work together and almost create a ‘family business’ within the greater Gloucestershire cricket family. "Supporting events like this is just one small part of that.

“Although I deal with the professional end of things I appreciate that not everyone is able to, or wants to play at that end of the spectrum. The GCB does fantastic work giving opportunities to people at all levels of the game to take part and enjoy their cricket.”

The golf day was sponsored by Grassroot Media and included a fundraising raffle and auction.

Other notable players involved on the day included Gloucestershire seamer Mike Smith who played for the Gloucestershire Gypsies team and current GCCC academy director Owen Dawkins who was part of the Bristol City Community Trust team. Bristol Rugby’s Kyle Traynor and James Grindal also took part, playing with private banking firm Duncan Lawrie.