Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Pitch In For Better Nets. Target £55K!
Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom
Aim
We have now raised the monies to build new nets ready for the 2026 season. Thank you to everyone who has supported us!
Our Girls' and Youth Fundraising Challenge
Elstead Cricket Club is looking to raise £55,000 to build brand-new net facilities in a bid to fuel the growth of girls’ and women’s cricket while continuing support of the boys’ and men’s sides at the club.
Having achieved the relevant permissions, and with support from our community, the club is excited to start fundraising to rid the club of its 50-year-old nets which are unsafe and unfit for purpose.
There is a firm deadline for raising the funds by the end of January 2026.
Donations of any size will help us reach our goal and keep cricket thriving in Elstead for generations to come.
Elstead Cricket Club: A Heartbeat of the Community
Founded in the 1880s, Elstead Cricket Club is more than just a sports club; it’s a place where community, passion, and cricket come together.
We are an inclusive club. From our thriving adult teams to our dynamic girls’ and mixed boys and girls’ squads, ranging from U7s to U17s, there’s a place for everyone.
Our volunteers — who’ve dedicated countless hours to coaching, mentoring, and playing — have seen first hand the growth of young talent, many of whom have moved from the junior ranks into senior teams. A testament to how loved a sport cricket is here in Elstead, with the power to bring people of all ages together.
Our core values
Fun, respect, inclusivity. These values are the foundation of everything we do. Whether on the pitch or off it, we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and enjoy the game.
Girls' and Women's Cricket
We’re particularly proud of our U14 Girls' team, which has grown from strength to strength since its inception just a year ago. This year, they’ve moved up to hardball cricket and joined a competitive league.
There’s a real surge of interest in cricket from girls and women in our community, and we’re eager to fuel this growth. After the success of our trial Ladies' Day, we’re now aiming to create two new girls' teams: an U11s team and a Ladies' Team, bringing our total number of female teams to three.
New nets are essential to provide a safe, welcoming space for our female players to train, grow, and reach their full potential.
Our Juniors' Plans: Growing the Future
As our junior teams continue to flourish, we really want to offer them the best facilities possible. The new nets will support our existing youth squads and help us expand our junior programme. This investment in our future stars is vital to sustaining the success of our club for years to come.
A Source of Pride
Over the last few years, several of our youth players, including two girls, were nominated for county and cricket pathway trials, showcasing the talent we aim to nurture. A few of these players, both boys and girls, successfully secured county player status.
The U17 2025 team had a fantastic season, finishing as league champions through strong performances and teamwork.
Individual players also gained recognition at district level for their exceptional contributions on the field.
These achievements are a result of the club’s ongoing investment in youth development for both boys and girls. Something we look forward to continue with better net facilities.
Help Us Improve
As with all clubs, we rely on the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of the local community. Our green space, tended to by volunteers is a source of pride.
But the truth is, our practice nets have seen better days. Having been in place for decades, they've now become increasingly worn and, frankly, unsafe. Just recently, a stray ball flew through a hole in the netting, over the road, and into a property window — a close call!
It’s clear we need new, secure nets to ensure the safety of both players and the public.
And, having grown our base exponentially to 175 members in a few years — and including 100 juniors, 20% of these girls and 10% children who receive educational support — and as our club continues to grow, proper facilities are truly needed.
A Community Resource – Open to Everyone
Our cricket nets have always been more than just a training space for club members—they're a shared asset for the entire community. Whether you're picking up a bat for the first time, enjoying a casual game with friends and family, or honing your technique ahead of a match, the upgraded facility will remain open and welcoming to all.
This new development isn’t just about sport—it’s about connection, inclusion, and pride in a space that belongs to everyone. The nets will be maintained by our community, for our community, ensuring they stay safe, accessible, and ready for use by anyone who wants to enjoy them.
Our old nets are unsafe and no longer meet the ECB standard. New nets will provide an enclosed and safe environment for practice.
If we are lucky enough to exceed our financial target, we will invest any additional funds into training equipment to further develop our cricketing facilities for all – that would include a new mobile cage at Burford Lodge and a bowling machine.
These would improve the quality of facilities further across both of our sites and for our Juniors in particular.
What Can You Do to Help?
We need your support to make this vision a reality! Whether you're a parent with children who play cricket, a player yourself, or even someone who’s yet to get involved — this initiative impacts us all. In addition to the new nets, we are planting new trees around the perimeter to beautify the space and provide shade for players and spectators alike.
Donate today – every pound brings us closer to £55k
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Your donation will help enhance the village, support the club and benefit the whole community.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made