East Bierley CC Urgent Facility Repairs

Aim

Raise funds for urgent roof repairs following recent storms and repairs/upgrades to ground equipment to meet the increased facility demand

East Bierley Cricket Club - Who are we?

Established as a cornerstone of sporting excellence, East Bierley Cricket Club stands as a beacon of success within our community. While renowned for our senior men's, junior, and women's cricket teams, our identity transcends the boundaries of traditional sports clubs.

At our core, we are catalysts for community engagement, collaborating with an array of local groups and organizations to curate a dynamic year-round program of sports and activities. Serving a culturally diverse demographic, we take immense pride in our ability to foster inclusivity and participation across all segments of society.

Central to our ethos is the seamless integration of on-field triumphs with the cultivation of robust community ties. Our commitment to nurturing talent is evidenced by the development of numerous exceptional young players, many of whom have ascended to represent our senior and representative teams.

Presently, our roster boasts three senior teams—two male and one female—alongside six junior teams spanning age groups from Under 9s to Under 15s, inclusive of both girls and boys. This multifaceted approach not only champions athletic achievement but also cultivates a sense of belonging and unity within our community.

As East Bierley Cricket Club, we stand as a testament to the transformative power of sport, embodying the values of teamwork, resilience, and camaraderie while continuously striving to enrich the lives of all those we touch.

Why are we pursuing crowdfunding?

Recent storms and high winds have inflicted significant damage to the tearoom roof, resulting in multiple leaks. When further investigating these leaks it has become apparent that the wooden joists in the roof are now rotting away. This jeopardizes our ability to continue supporting local community events and hosting fixtures/functions. Urgent repair of the roof is imperative to uphold our commitment to providing a high-quality facility for the community. Without addressing these pressing repairs, our ability to fulfill our vision and sustain community engagement will be severely hindered. As you can see from the below picture the wooden beams are rotting away underneath the roof slates. 

In addition with the increased usage of our playing facilities by juniors and our female teams our ground machinery / covers are in dire need of updating to ensure we can meet the increased demand and continue to provide high quality playing facilities for all. 

Given our ground's clay-based composition, moisture retention poses a significant challenge, often resulting in prolonged periods required for drainage. Regrettably, this frequently leads to the postponement or abandonment of crucial training sessions and matches, impeding our ability to fully utilize our facilities.

To address this pressing issue and ensure uninterrupted cricketing activities, we have developed a strategic proposal. Our plan entails the acquisition of new flat sheet covers, new pipes for our roll on covers and extension covers, attachment kits to work with the roll on covers, pegs, and Bowdry equipment, aimed at enhancing our ground's resilience against adverse weather conditions. By strategically deploying these resources, we aim to extend coverage across both the square and outfield, effectively shielding the playing surface from inclement weather.

Crowdfunding presents an opportunity for our existing players, members, supporters, friends, and local businesses to rally behind our cause and assist us in addressing this urgent repair.

How will the funds be allocated?

The anticipated cost for the urgent repairs amounts to £12,000 plus VAT. This will encompass comprehensive restoration of the roof and implementation of a long-term solution to prevent future issues. Ultimately, these repairs will expand accessibility to our facilities, enabling more adults, children, and young people to participate in sports activities, maintain their enthusiasm for active lifestyles, and continue serving the local community.

New Water Hog / sheet covers / roll on cover pipes / cover attachment kit - £3000

Update / repair of existing ground machinery - £2600

Role in the Community

Nestled within the vibrant city of Bradford, our cricket club serves as a hub for a rich tapestry of multicultural communities. Embracing diversity and inclusivity, we take immense pride in our role as an active participant in the local community.

Our junior teams epitomize this ethos, welcoming both girls and boys of all ages and skill levels to participate in cricket training. Beyond cricket, our facilities serve as a cornerstone for various community events, including sports days for local schools, charitable PHAB sports camps, and the hosting of a beloved Christmas Fayre.

Moreover, our grounds and amenities play host to esteemed cricketing events, welcoming West Yorkshire regional teams, Yorkshire CCC County Age Group fixtures, Yorkshire Over 70 fixtures, and league cup finals.

Building strong ties with neighboring schools lacking adequate sports facilities and organizations catering to children with additional needs, such as the PHAB club, we provide a nurturing environment that fosters an active lifestyle for all.

What we have done in recent years

In recent years, we have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to community improvement through proactive initiatives, facilitated by two successful crowdfunder campaigns. Since 2020, our endeavors have yielded significant enhancements, including:

• Refurbishment of changing rooms and showers.
• Installation of a state-of-the-art two-lane outdoor net facility.
• Implementation of advanced outfield drainage systems to preserve pitch integrity.
• Acquisition of a new wicket mower, enhancing playing conditions.
• Addition of a new sightscreen for improved gameplay visibility.
• Construction of a welcoming veranda outside the tearoom, offering an accessible and comfortable viewing area for spectators during summer cricket matches.

Through these endeavors, we continue to strengthen our bond with the community, enriching lives and promoting active participation in sports among individuals of all backgrounds.

Community impact

These are just some of the things we do:

Junior Cricket

We provide cricket for children and young people in many ways. 

• We run teams at age groups from Under 9's to Under 15's. Teams play in the Bradford Junior Cricket League. Many of our young players play Regional District and County Cricket.
• We stage school matches / festivals each year in conjunction with East Bierley Primary School. 
• We run school holiday coaching course - not just at our own club but also for other clubs around the area who are trying to develop junior cricket. 
• Senior Cricket

Our teams play in the following competitions:

• ECB Bradford Premier League Championship
• Priestley Cup
• Heavy Woollen Cup
• Bradford Junior Cricket League
• Womens Summer Softball League
• We stage fixtures for Yorkshire Over 70's teams and junior age group teams

Our catchment area includes a multi ethnic community and a number of our junior and senior cricketers are from South Asian backgrounds. 

We would like to further engage with these communities by looking to offer bursaries to those participating in our junior cricket initiatives in 2024 for those who cost is a major barrier to participation. These activities will we hope increase access to the club and widen our participation base. They will of course place further demands on our facilities.

ACO Education

We work with the Yorkshire ACO to provide training for cricket scorers. 

Playschemes

We have worked with other local charity organisation PHAB club to operate sports camps for children with disabilities from multiple backgrounds. 

Charity events

We have run a number of events over the last few years such as race nights, dinners and quiz nights to raise funds for local charities in conjunction with the PHAB club. 

What we will do - Member's sponsored walk

On Saturday, April 6th, a team of club members, including both active participants and supporters, will embark on a 12-mile journey from Emily Moor Mast back to the club. Emily Moor Mast holds significant symbolism for us, as it marks the farthest point visible from our club, making it the perfect starting point for our challenge and a central focus for our fundraising efforts.

How you can play your part

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

1. Make a pledge. 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. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

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!

This project successfully funded on 10th April 2024