2007 is a very special year – the 21st Anniversary of Bunbury ESCA Festival.

Last year at the Royal Albert Hall David English received the ECB Award for Outstanding Service to Cricket.  Never has the award been more richly deserved.

David has been the inspiration behind a Festival which regularly produces the future stars of the England team – but more than that the Bunbury Festival gives young cricketers the opportunity to participate against the very best players in their age group and to make friendships which you will treasure for life.

Last summer the ICC awarded ECB the right to host the 2009 World Twenty20 Championships and the 2019 Cricket World Cup.  Whilst 2009 might be too soon for another former Bunbury to play in an ICC World Event I am sure that at least one young cricketer participating in the Festival this week will be proudly wearing an England sweater when England and Wales plays host to the World Cup 2019.  That is a goal which I hope many of you will aspire to but above all I hope you all thoroughly enjoy your cricket at whatever level you ultimately achieve.

Whilst David English is the inspiration behind these Festivals they would not be so successful and enjoyable without the great support of the local organisers, ESCA, the umpires and scorers, the managers and coaches and your parents.  To all the volunteers and supporters thank you for providing all the young cricketers at this 21st Bunbury Festival with a wonderful opportunity – have a great Festival and I hope the sun shines and we all enjoy some great cricket.