Provide a Non Turf Playing Pitch

The Pitch

Problem statement

The Cricket Club can boast good success with an increasing number of Players and Teams of both genders. In 2022, we are starting new 'Senior' Women's Teams in the Gloucestershire Premier League and the 'T/20 League'. This adds to 5 existing 'Mixed gender' Senior Teams, Womens Softball, 12 Youth Teams, and the Falcons 'Junior' and 'Senior' Disability Squads. This brings the challenge of being able to provide good quality playing pitches for the increasing number of matches and practices required. There are two 'Squares' at the Cricket Ground with grass wickets, but through wear and tear during the season, these have a limited 'life', with our volunteer groundstaff increasingly concerned.

Solution

The Project is to install a 'Non Turf Pitch' (NTP)('all weather') on the 'Top Square' for £12,906. We have a committed Grant from English Cricket Board (ECB) of £10k, and the £2.906 Grant Application is to provide the 'top up' figure, creating a joint 'ECB/Green King' funded Project. An NTP will provide more options to play matches without 'wear and tear', and save volunteer time with no expensive, time consuming wicket preparations required. It will also give excellent opportunities for Squad training, and individual 1:1 Batting and Bowling Coaching sessions. And it will give the chance for matches to take place when inclement weather has made the grass wickets on the Square unusable.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Frenchay is a very family orientated Cricket Club, absolutely committed to, and very proud to be providing equal opportunities. We lead in Gloucestershire with more than ten years history to build on, in providing Women and Girls, and Disability Cricket. These areas of the Club continue to grow, and we must adjust and develop our playing and training facilities to match, and to allow for further, future growth. The provision of this NTP is part of a 'Playing Pitch Improvement Strategy' for 2022 -24, including improving six existing, 'moderate' grass wickets to 'Top Grade' level, and purchasing a portable 'Flix Pitch', both through Grants obtained from South Gloucestershire Council.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

250 people

Expected impact

Good

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