'Kaspa's Crew' launched

XXXX Queensland Bulls fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz will throw his weight behind the unsung heroes of cricket in Queensland with the launch today of "Kaspa's Crew".

Kasprowicz, who recently became the State's all-time leading first class wicket-taker, will be the public face of the Queensland Cricket Volunteers' Recognition program, which was officially launched today at Allan Border Field by Queensland Cricket Chairman, Damien Mullins SC.

A member of the Australian One Day squad that toured India earlier this season, Kasprowicz said he was honoured to back an initiative that recognised the lifeblood of the game.

"It's been my experience that those people who are the heart and soul of any club do it largely because they enjoy being part of a team environment," he said.

"Hopefully the launch of this program will allow us to bring all of our volunteers into their own special team and thank them personally for their efforts," Kasprowicz said.

Queensland has an estimated 8000 volunteers involved in the sport throughout the State, with their unpaid work at a grassroots level representing a major stake in the overall strength of the game.

Cricket Australia's latest strategic plan has identified a decline in volunteerism as a significant challenge to the game, a factor that prompted the initiation of a dedicated Volunteer Recognition Program.

Mullins said the workload assumed by volunteers was admirable, with their efforts spread across 85 associations, including 350 clubs and 2200 teams, and affecting approximately 31,000 players.

"Having an individual of Michael's standing in the game will allow Queensland Cricket to provide a degree of acknowledgement and recognition of our volunteers as part of an on-going program," he said.

"We chose Michael to be the face of the program due to his outstanding contribution to cricket on and off the field. He is one of our most popular players due to his generosity of spirit and down-to-earth personality and is widely renowned in cricket circles as a fair and honest player."

Among the components of the program in its initial year will be a signed Christmas card from Kasprowicz to registered volunteers, certificates of appreciation and press advertising throughout Queensland at the end of the season listing every volunteer in their respective region or area, including a message of thanks from Kasprowicz..

Mullins also announced that Queensland Cricket major support sponsors Australia Post would extend their corporate support to the program.

Kasprowicz revealed at the launch that he had a personal stake in backing the program.

"I didn't have to go far to think of someone who defined the spirit of a volunteer," he said.

"I was fortunate enough when I was starting my senior club career at the University of Queensland to encounter someone who became a very good friend of mine, the late WEP Harris," he said.

"WEP was involved with Uni for nearly 50 years as either a player or an administrator, and he did just about everything there."

"He was the first bloke at the ground to take off the covers, he cooked the burgers, looked after the players, collected the subs, and was usually the last bloke to leave after phoning the scores through to the paper."

"Before he retired he was a dentist and I know that he used to make club training four nights a week when he was working without fail and then be there for the whole weekend sometimes."

"There are people like WEP all over Australia so being involved in something where I can say thanks for their efforts is a pleasure and an honour," he said.

Queensland Cricket has compiled a database of volunteers that will comprise "Kaspa's Crew", which will be continually updated as new members are identified.

Kasprowicz will be back in action on the playing field tomorrow when the Bulls take on the Southern Redbacks in an ING Cup day/nighter at the Gabba from 2.30pm.