Last month Devon Cricket marked World Refugee Day with a friendly match at Exwick CC between two teams made up of individuals seeking asylum and refugees based in Exeter.

Many of the players involved on the day had also taken part in our community outreach programme over the winter period.

Key to the delivery of our winter outreach programme were Exwick CC's Simon Hukku and Kate Le Maux, who kindly gave up their time to support the weekly sessions.

"When Alex [Jopling] was arranging the sessions in January he said the sessions would be at Riverside," recalls Simon. "I said we'd be happy to come down and help out as it was local to us. It was three months' worth of Monday nights, but it was brilliant and great fun."

Once the sessions at the Riverside Leisure Centre ended, a number of the participants were keen to continue playing cricket and Exwick CC were more than happy to accommodate them:

"The boys came down to our indoor training sessions in March and they just slid right in. Even though they're still learning English, they communicate through cricket and we can all have a laugh regardless of language."

"All of the team have commented on how well they have integrated into the club. We have a couple who are first-team regulars and four or five who rotate between the second team and the Sunday team. We also get a lot of support from their friends at the hotel who come and watch the games, so we get to know them as well which is brilliant."

One of the first-team regulars, Awrangzeb Khogiani, was keen to compliment Devon Cricket for helping him get back into cricket since arriving in England: "We are very happy playing cricket. Thank you for your support, for organising cricket for us and for starting a conversation with us."

Attaullah Kharoti, also a regular in the first XI, was also keen to thank Simon: "We are thankful to Simon for getting us to Exwick and playing cricket."

The focus, though, has not just been on playing cricket, with Simon being very complimentary of the new recruits' contribution beyond their exploits on the pitch:

"It's not just about them playing on a Saturday, they come along and help us out with the ground. They'd love to be involved in more things next year, like coaching, and that's wonderful to hear."

"They fit in really nice with the group and, on the whole, we've got a much better spirit this year."

Simon is hopeful that Awrangzeb, Attaullah and co are able to stay in the area in the future, but admits this is likely beyond anyone's control:

"We're looking to see if we can help them stay locally, but that is up to the government. They're part of our club. They're part of our community. We want them to stay here and we will help them in any way we can."