Harrogate to host Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival
Gullivers Sports Travel has been working with Air New Zealand on Golden Oldies hockey, cricket and rugby festivals since 1985. Once again Gullivers Sports Travel has been appointed by the airline as ground operator for the 2010 Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival.
In August there is no better place to experience one of the most stunning regions of England, than in Yorkshire, arguably the home of cricket, playing on some of the most wonderful grounds in Harrogate and the surrounding villages.
950 participants, from 58 teams, representing seven countries across the world, will be travelling to the Yorkshire Dales for the over 40s festival, including teams from England, Japan, South Africa and the USA. 22 of these teams are from Australia, with the likes of the Townsville Old Crocs and the Ringwood Possums attending whilst the Southern Relics are coming from New Zealand and the Toronto Lumberjacks from Canada. 23 teams are also competing from Yorkshire including Lord's Taverners, Nidderdale Golden Oldies and Bradford Cricket League.
Former England Captain, born in that cradle of Yorkshire cricket, Pudsey, Ray Illingworth's CBE is the Festival Ambassador. With a glittering career Ray was one of England's most successful captains.
As well as handling all the logistics for the festival, Gullivers is also organising a traditional Yorkshire welcome party at Theakston’s brewery, specialising in high quality real ales and beers as well as a stunning themed 70s disco finale dinner dance with an Elton John tribute artist and local group ‘The Directors’. Yorkshire boasts a historically rich culinary culture and a medieval picnic day along with the odd Yorkshire pudding will be held at the magnificent English country Manor Ripley Castle, home to Sir Thomas Ingilby the Festival Director.
Director David Hall, Gullivers Sports Travel said: “After the huge success of the Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in Edinburgh in 2008, Gullivers is delighted to be working with Air New Zealand in the quintessentially English town of Harrogate. What makes this festival unique is that it’s not just about the cricket, it’s about forging old and new friendships and experiencing different cultures, and of course having fun. The events which Gullivers organise continue the ethos of Golden Oldies cricket – ‘Fun, Friendship and Fraternity for players, supporters and partners’.”
The festival rules dictate that there are no ‘winners’, in fact points aren’t even recorded for the matches! Each team will play a total of three matches during the festival and the oldest player registered is 74 years old.
