Many Middlesex Hats
Not One of Lorraine's
By CBG & Lorraine
September 28 2010
ComeBackGatt (CBG) interviews Lorraine Poole from the Middlesex office, who explains her myriad of roles for the club. This is a fascinating insight into the workings of Middlesex CCC. We are very grateful to Lorraine for sparing the time for this interview. Thanks also of course to CBG for writing it up.
CBG....What is your background?
LORRAINE...I worked for David Lloyd Leisure, started as a lifeguard and became Promotions Manager. Left there to join the London Community Cricket Association where I ran and coached the girls schools cricket programmes, from there Middlesex Cricket Board took me on as their first Women’s Cricket Development Officer. In 2005 I was asked to jointly work for the County Cricket Club and help organise the outground festivals, as they were having a change in staff personnel. I did this for 2 years before leaving the Development job with the Cricket Board in 2006 and joining the staff of the County Cricket Club full time
CBG....When did you join Middlesex County Cricket Club?
LORRAINE....September 2000 – I think I am next to receive a benefit year!!
CBG....What is your job description?
LORRAINE....As we have such a small staff we all have very flexible job descriptions, and about 5 different job titles ….Prob easier to try and explain my role, here goes:
Outgrounds -
Organise all outground matches; from liaising with the venues on dates and the matches they get each year, to getting the road signs put up, getting towels there for the players & umpires changing rooms and stacking chairs & barriers at the end of the day!
Fulfil the role of safety officer and match day manager at all outground matches
Events -
Organise all Club members’ events
Organise and liaise with our event consultant on all other commercial events (i.e. Golf Days, Sporting lunches, End of Season Dinner etc)
Look after the visiting and our own Committee members and Guests hospitality on home and away match days
Sponsors -
Put together attractive and competitive sponsorship packages
Administer all the packages and be main point of contact for all the Clubs sponsors
Assist CEO in finding new and keeping existing club sponsors
Organise all the sponsors events and hospitality
Liaise with ECB re; National Sponsor and their requirements on our match days
Cricket Match Operations -
Register all Players and (try) to keep up to date with the ECB regulations
Administer Player contracts
Administer and apply for the Sponsor Licences for non British passport holder players and coaches
Administer the match day reports for captains and umpires
Liaise with and be the contact for ECB on all match operation details
Other things -
Put into place and liaise with the ECB on all National initiatives and promotions – eg twenty20 event activations
Liaise with the MCC in regard to promotions, events, ticket offers at our matches (eg schools days)
Assist Becs and Fletch with marketing and promotion of all matches & membership
As well as of course general office duties we all share and assisting our members and supporters with their queries and telephone enquiries!
And I think I’ve probably left stuff out …!
CBG....Do you get to see much cricket?
LORRAINE....No - My favourite thing about outgrounds is that I get to see cricket! We quite often see the last hour of play after the office is shut, and I do try and get to some away games and watch as a fan….
CBG....Have you always liked cricket
LORRAINE....Yep - I started playing competitive cricket for a women’s team when I was 18 after playing indoor cricket for a few years, made my debut for Middlesex in 1995 and retired from County Cricket in 2007 – mainly because of not being available enough at weekends and for training because of this job. I still belong to Dukesmead WCC who play in South Division one, but haven’t managed to play this year - a combination of too many weekends working and breaking my foot!
CBG....What is your main work load during the winter months?
LORRAINE....Fixtures, booking everything for outgrounds, player registrations and work permits, planning for the following seasons promotions, marketing, events, meeting sponsors, finding sponsors and packaging together corporate packages for new sponsors. The winter just means normal working hours (9 to 5) and not having to work weekends! And a holiday!
CBG....Do you ever look at Middlesex till we die?
LORRAINE....Yes. I find it both interesting and quite often frustrating!
CBG...Many thanks Lorraine for your time
LORRAINE....YOU'RE WELCOME.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:15:08:32:57 by Ged.
There are certain things which we don't agree on, normally the boundary size as I want it as big as poss and Loz wants to get marquees in. I remember once early on getting told off and I never did it again. She likes to be in charge - not easy at Uxbridge - and commands respect but then respect is earned.
She is also the most incredibly generous woman and Fletch is bloody lucky to have her, good job the old boy likes cricket though. As for her not watching cricket, that's cr*p, she can always tell me which ball didn't bounce.
If anyone is MTWD, this is the one and long may it continue.
Keep up the good work!
Definatly MTWD,and always has time for a quick,or longer chat.
Nicks , Becks and Eric ( sorry if I've missed anyone) also do sterling work and we certainly got a great off the field team, if nothing else.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
A good read and thanks for your time. MTWD goes without saying.
Absolutely no problem for such a worthy cause even though she was rushed off her foot mid-season and had the Uxbridge festival to organise.
I have to say that all the staff never look tired do they..?
They don't really have chance to sleep during the summer and then in winter all the work starts again for the next season!
I guess that's why all the help the staff can get really helps!
I guess we just turn up don't we and enjoy our days, but there are people behind the scenes that work their socks off to make it happen!
Kimmy