2023 ANNUAL REPORT

CHAIR’S REPORT 9 those of us with our roots in the recreational game a great deal of satisfaction. Samit Patel’s talent, skill and knack for seizing the moment on the biggest stages have rightly earned him a place in the hearts of Nottinghamshire supporters. And Stuart Broad has – in the course of an astonishing career at international level – established himself as an all-time great of the game without ever losing his passion for his county. It was our great pleasure as a General Committee to confirm the re- naming of the Pavilion End in his honour. But sport never stands still; we’ll see a new captain, and a host of new faces, bounding down those Pavilion steps once we return to Trent Bridge in the spring. Far better judges than I, meanwhile, have spoken in glowing terms about the talent currently progressing through our age-group sides, so we can be permitted a little optimism about the summers to come. Meanwhile, the addition of The Blaze added a professional women’s team who seeTrent Bridge as home. As Director of Women’s Cricket – James Cutt – discusses in this publi- cation, moving here allowed them to attract Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn, two high-quality players and role models for the squad to learn from, and who can inspire more East Midlands girls to seek a spot in this regional team. The support of the men’s profes- sional staff, in particular Director of Cricket Mick Newell, has been instrumental in them making the transition from Loughborough to Trent Bridge. The Hundred drew full houses and showcased limited-overs cricket during the summer holidays. I only have to look at the replica shirt purchases made by my daughters to understand the role it can play in attracting a younger and more diverse audience toTrent Bridge, while securing incremental broad- cast revenues to support our wider operation. But of course, cricket in Notting- hamshire is about far more than just those teams that inhabit Trent Bridge.The growth of the women’s game at professional level is being matched by an exponential increase in interest at recreational level – with our Community and Development team’s Jemima Dalton deserving of particular praise for her work at the heart of our initiatives. We heard tales from across the recreational network of talent and dedication from volunteers nominated for Grassroots Cricket Collective Awards – and we were delighted to reward the winners with hospitality at a keenly-fought Metro Bank One Day Cup Final. And we must pass on our con- gratulations to Cuckney Cricket Club, who crowned their sporting summer with victory in the ECB’s “STUART BROAD HAS – IN THE COURSE OF AN ASTONISHING CAREER AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL – ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS AN ALL-TIME GREAT OF THE GAME WITHOUT EVER LOSING HIS PASSION FOR HIS COUNTY.” Andy Hunt