Who are we?
Dorridge Cricket Club will be 100 years old in 2028. It's a club that has lots to celebrate and is well placed to achieve even more.
We have
- 4 Saturday League teams
- 3 Senior women's teams
- Sunday Social XI team
- Sunday Bash team
- 28 Junior girls' and boys' teams & All Stars (approx 300 kids)
- Junior to Senior pathway open and encouraged
Young and Old want to play a part in the club's evolution.
What are we fundraising for?
In order to address the issue of the lack of cricket facilities across the region, especially for women and girls, we have developed a second ground at Dorridge Cricket Club.
In August 2022, we were fortunate enough to acquire the lease for the land adjacent to the current pitch at Dorridge Cricket Club. With the help of an ECB grant, a second cricket pitch has been developed on this land. This was Phase 1 of our project.
We are fundraising to build the exterior shell of the new pavilion and changing facility that will accompany the new ground at the Cricket Club. This will enable matches to be played on both grounds at the Club, simultaneously. This is Phase 2 of our project.
This Crowdfunder project, together with NCIL funding and other fundraising initiatives, will enable us to complete the exterior of the building. We hope to have this in place by the end of 2023.
Who will this benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this new pitch and facilities will be women and girls, for whom the growth of cricket is currently being held back due to lack of space. Warwickshire Cricket Board (WCB) will use the ground as a priority for women and girls' games, enabling them to build a strong, sustainable and inclusive network across Warwickshire, the West Midlands and beyond.
WCB will also use the ground to run school festivals and competitions, which will benefit the whole of the Solihull area, as well as Coach Development Courses, benefitting not just the immediate but also wider area.
There will also be community-based coaching sessions to introduce new young players to the game.
How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022
With cricket forming part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, our project will help create a local legacy to celebrate the city's success as host, uniting communities across Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
We will:
- bring people together with WCB using the new ground for women and girls' cricket matches from across Warwickshire and the West Midlands as well as providing more coaching opportunities for young people in the community.
- improve health and well-being by enabling more people, young and old, across the community to be physically active playing cricket
- help the region grow and succeed by growing the game of cricket to new audiences.
- provide a catalyst for change by having a positive impact on the local community, improving skills, offering coaching sessions and encouraging participation in sport.
Why is sport so important?
According to the NHS, rates of probable mental health disorders have increased since 2017; in 6 to 16 year olds from one in nine (11.6%) to one in six (17.4%).
As quoted by Sport England, being physically active can improve mood, decrease the chance of depression and anxiety and lead to a better and more balanced lifestyle.
Support from key members of the community
Saqib Bhatti MBE MP "Helping the local community get involved in sport is so important, especially after the pandemic when many people were unable to exercise which had a huge impact on mental health. These new facilities will not only benefit those who play cricket, but they will also be used for school competitions and festivals which will benefit the whole community"
Andy Wyles, Participation & Growth Manager, WCB "We at WCB are happy to support this project. We have worked with the Club over the last 5 years as they have developed their plans for the second ground. We have come to understand how this will help with the growth of the game, not just at Dorridge but the wider community. It is a truly exciting opportunity for everyone involved in cricket to grow the game, especially the Women and Girls' game which will be the primary benefactor of this excellent project."
Be part of something special
We would be so grateful for any donations you are able to make. If we can raise £14,000 from a minimum of 100 supporters, Sport England will donate £6,000. For more details on how you can help, please get in touch. Thank you for your support.
