The money goes towards the cost of a three bay non turf practice area which will give a boost to the Club’s coaching programme. The actual project cost was approximately £44,000.
The Shrewsbury Cricket Club was identified by the Shropshire Cricket Board and by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as a club of strategic importance because of their aim to increase participation in junior and women’s and girls’ cricket and their willingness to actively support ECB development policies.
The Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s Chairman, Richard Chapman, said:
“We were really delighted when we received the grant award as we urgently needed to up-grade our practice and coaching facilities. The new facility is top quality and to ECB specification and will be perfect for the development of young cricketers. Next season, we shall be able to have a much more structured coaching programme organised by our ECB qualified coaches and this will benefit all age groups.”
“The Club has four senior Saturday teams and approximately 120 junior cricketers and we aim to increase the number of junior players, including a girls’ section which has growth potential.”
“In recent times the Club has made good progress and we have achieved ECB Clubmark and Focus Club status and having been a ‘Chance to Shine’ club we have close relationships with our local schools where we provide coaching and play opportunities. It is through the local schools we hope to recruit more juniors.”
“Apart from our own club matches we also make our ground and facilities available to the Shropshire County Cricket Club and the Shropshire Cricket Board for county games and age group matches. The Shropshire Over 50’s and 60’s also play matches on the ground. Other clubs in our locality are invited to use our facilities as part of our cricket development programme.”
“The Official Opening of the new facility will take place on Saturday 2 May 2015.”
“We are extremely grateful to the England and Wales Cricket Trust for the most generous grant and we also acknowledge that the Club members raised over £17,000 of partnership funding to cover the total cost of the project. Other ground improvements have taken place and we are grateful to Greenhouse Limited for the sponsorship of our new electronic scoreboard.”
“We regard the grant as an investment in cricket at the Club for the future and there will be long term benefits for the local community.”
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