Worcestershire Cricket are staging "come and have a go" sessions – aimed at boosting interest in the county club and encouraging youngsters to take up the game – to coincide with a stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race starting in the city on September 10.
The announcement that Sir Bradley Wiggins is taking part in the race will heighten interest and increase the already sizeable crowds expected in Worcester on that day.
It is also the second day of Worcestershire's potentially crucial LV = County Championship clash with Surrey – including Kevin Pietersen – at New Road.
And anyone participating in the Worcestershire Cricket (WC) "come and have a go sessions" at various destinations in the city will be entitled to a free ticket to use on either the second, third or fourth days of the Surrey match.
WC coaches will be out in force in a designated area for all sports in front of the Guildhall and an area at the corner of Pump Street towards the Elgar Statue and it is also hoped a third area will be made available in Cripplegate Park.
WC participation cricket development officer Andy Wheeler has been the WC representative on the Tour of Britain organising working party.
He said: "From a Worcestershire Cricket point of view, we are going to have two or three coaches participating and we are going to be running 'have a go cricket.'
"We will have rebound nets, targets for people to throw balls at, that sort of thing, just literally a couple or three minutes, just to have a quick go.
"The county club have agreed that anyone who comes and has a go will have a free admission ticket for the game that day against Surrey and it can also be used on the third or fourth day.
"It's saying to people 'if you would like to come and watch some professional cricket, here is your opportunity.'
"If we can offer people a high quality service like coaching or 'have a go' sessions then hopefully people will think 'I'd like to have a go at that, I want to do some more.'
"It's twofold from our point of view. It's about getting more people into the ground because the more people watching the better it is for Worcestershire overall.
"They can hopefully become members or see the fantastic facilities and think 'I've got a party or wedding, I'll use here.'
"From our point of view if someone says 'actually I fancy playing' then you can direct them to a local club and, who knows, maybe one day they will even be good enough to play for the county.
"It's a wonderful opportunity with so many people going to be in the city on that day.
"Bradley Wiggins has just been announced that he is going to be in the race so initially they were saying 5,000 people were expected in Worcester on the morning but, with Bradley being a big name, that potentially could bring more people into the city."
Wheeler added: "I've been sat on the Tour of Britain organising working party for the last four or five months as a Worcestershire Cricket rep.
"It is a really good opportunity for all sport in Worcester to showcase their events.
"Worcester City Council have agreed we can use a stretch in front of the Guildhall for different sporting activities.
"We've also got a area for about four or five gazebos at the corner of Pump Street towards the Elgar Statue and local clubs can come along and publicise their sports and clubs.
"It is just publicising the fantastic opportunities that sport has in the Worcester city area.
"An invite has gone out to all the sports in the Worcestershire area, swimming, triathlon, tennis, rugby, football etc and said if you would like to then come along and have a go and set up an activity area for your particular sport."
*A reminder because of the Tour of Britain race that New Road will be inaccessible by car for approximately 45 minutes from 10.30am – the start time of play for Championship matches in September – and 11.15am.
The Stage will set off from the Hive at 10.30 am via the out rider car with the riders leaving at 10.45am.
