New Changing Rooms with Privacy for New Pitch

Aim

To build two new changing rooms with privacy for men, women and juniors

Who are we?

Fillongley Cricket Club is a village club based in a beautiful setting in North Warwickshire. Tracing our roots back over 100 years, the Club was re-formed on its present site in 1952 after a pause due to the war.

We run three teams in the Warwickshire Cricket League, a Sunday side in the Arden League, and have entered the Village Cup since its creation. We run women's hard and soft ball sides. Following the success of England's women team at the Commonwealth Games we have seen a surge of interest from girls.

We also run junior teams at various age groups, including the ECB All Stars and Dynamos programmes, and we hold ECB Club Mark.

We partner with four local schools, one of whom has used the Club to study nature as part of an "outside classroom" and the charitable Midlands Langar Seva in Coventry.

for whom we host an annual fundraising game. In 2022 we hosted Warwickshire women's age group games, and a Women's MCC match.

In 2023 we will add two Warwickshire over 50s matches.

But we could only play one match at a time!

Having three Saturday teams meant one side always had to play away, and the women couldn't play when the men did, so when we got the chance to acquire the adjacent field we jumped at the chance! We made plans to build a second pitch for our third team, our women's team and some our junior sides.

Using local farmers, our own Member's labour and a grant from Warwickshire Cricket Board, we built a new ground that we opened in 2021. We landscaped the grounds, planted trees, cleaned out a derelict pond.

Our efforts to help ourselves and the environment were recognised when in 2022 we were awarded he newly introduced 2022 England and Wales Tackling Climate Change Award.

Changing in pavilions was only just beginning to return to normal, so in 2022 we came changed, or changed outside, and enjoyed a great season's cricket, with two matches taking place at the same time.

So why are we crowdfunding?

We had hoped to build two new changing rooms and to make our existing communal changing rooms and communal showers suitable when women and juniors play in senior or mixed teams.

When our changing rooms were built we had no women players, now we have many. With mixed teams we can't allow everyone to change or shower in the same area. We had plans drawn up and through sponsorship and saving our annual income we budgeted £50,000 for the project.

Unfortunately, the financial effects of Covid and the increasing cost of building materials and labour means that the £50,000 isn't quite enough.

We are around £10,000 short and we are looking for your help to raise it. If we can raise £5,000 we hope Sport England will match our funds so that we can build the changing rooms in time for use in 2023.

...and How Can You Help?

There are four simple ways you can help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge now! Don't delay if you're going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Are you a local business who could donate things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out! Use the 'contact project' button above to let us know what you could offer

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won't need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

How we'll spend the money raised

We will use the money we raise to build the two new changing rooms and to provide private, personal, changing and shower cubicles. We will also expand the floor area of the Lounge, giving us greater potential to raise funds through social events and hire fees and allowing us to hire out the Lounge to more sporting and Community groups. 

How is our Project "United by Birmingham 2022?"

Many people from our local community went to the Games and were inspired to get involved in Sport. We have seen a surge in interest in playing cricket and in playing or watching sport generally. This project builds on that interest, helping us to deliver the legacy and

• Bring people together - using the ground with our 4 partner schools, with women's cricket and our local community 
• Improve Health and Wellbeing - 

- Physical Health, fitness and weight control through participation in sport, 

- Mental  Health enjoyment of the countryside and the proven benefits of watching sport

• Help North Warwickshire Grow and Succeed

Our catchment area includes the areas of deprivation that, in part resulted from the closure of coal mines at Daw Mill, Arley and Keresley. Our Club attracts players from all backgrounds and economic groups and we have an established process for ensuring everyone can afford to take part in cricket. This project will boost the numbers of people who come to our Club and the area. By helping keep those people healthy in body and soul we will help the economy of North Warwickshire

• Being a Catalyst for Change

As a important part of our community, providing secure, private changing for the new pitch the  project will allow us to engage more children, more men and women from all social, religious and ethnic backgrounds regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. We hope that our facilities will inspire other clubs who visit The Parks to follow our lead.

In the words of one mother:

"We went as a family to see a number of events at the Commonwealth Games, including the Women's cricket and it made a lasting impression on us all - but particularly our children. George already plays cricket in the third team, so loved being able to see it live - being able to change at the Club will help him feel more part of the club and the sport he already enjoys.

My daughter, Emily, enjoys running. She found the athletics very exciting and the new changing rooms will mean she can use them to change too and do some training around the outfield at the Club"

When complete the project will benefit over 1,000 people who play cricket at Fillongley each year and many more who come to watch. Players include juniors age 5 to 18, senior men and women from the Club, Members of the Langar Seva Charity, Warwickshire under 19 and over 50 players.

It will also benefit the Community groups who can use the extended lounge. With improved changing and washing facilities we also plan to offer our four partner schools the chance to use the Club and our grounds as an outdoor learning space.

Thanks to All Our Reward Donors

Fizzy Fairy Paintings | Facebook 

Centurion Plant Hire                                  Research Garage

#azzabats

Fillongley Garage

Stephen Gardner Coaching

This project successfully funded on 22nd May 2023