DCC Youth and Female cricket participation

Aim

To create a safe and fun environment for young people and females to be introduced to cricket and fall in love with the sport

Club Background

Downpatrick Cricket Club is over 175 years old and boasts and long, rich and successful history in the Northern Cricket Union and wider Cricket Ireland competitions. Our ground, The Meadow, has hosted many domestic cricket finals and fifteen Senior International matches. We currently have a 1st XI playing in Section 2 of the NCU and a midweek league team. It is our great hope and overwhelming priority that after an enforced break due to the global pandemic that we can start to re-introduce Under-Age cricket at Under 11, 13 and 15 levels as well as having a female specific offering for both young girls and adults.

What is our project?

Downpatrick Cricket Club is hoping to raise much needed funds which will go specifically towards equipment and coaching to boost the reintroduction of our youth system for Primary school aged children and our Under 11, 13 & 15 age groups. We also aim to create our first ever female soft ball cricket team. This will help facilitate both the continuation and growth of cricket in Downpatrick and help diversify our club membership.

How has COVID-19 affected our club?

• Like many sports clubs Downpatrick were severely impacted by COVID-19
• We lost players/coaches/administrators/ground staff
• Volunteers and supporters drifted away
• We lost sponsors and income
• We were unable to run our traditional under-age cricket offering for 2 Summers

How will the money be spent?

The money raised will go directly to supporting the reintroduction of youth and female cricket at Downpatrick. We are essentially starting from scratch due to the pandemic so all funds will go towards Kwik cricket sets, balls, Cricket playing equipment and safety equipment as well as appropriate and specific playing kit for our newly formed females squad to show our commitment in this area of the game. The money will also allow us to develop and upskill our coaches and make sure we have all the relevant first aid qualifications and safeguarding training and procedures in place so we can offer a safe and fun environment for people to enjoy sport.

Who will benefit from this project?

• The Club – we will grow our membership numbers, see increased volunteerism at our club, create a more diverse, inclusive and welcoming club for everyone in the community
• The Community – the local community in Downpatrick and the greater area will have another outlet for young people from all members of the community to come together and play sport. Particularly given the creation of our new women and girls squads.
• The local schools – the schools in our catchment area will benefit from quality coaching offers to enthuse their pupils with cricket and encourage sustained participation in sport outside of school
• The Young People – the boys and girls who get the opportunity to play a new sport, meet new people and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle in a safe and fun environment

This project successfully funded on 28th June 2023