Fox Lodge CC - Volunteer Blitz

Aim: We aim to attract & upskill new volunteers, especially youth, women, and over-65s, into coaching, scoring, umpiring and groundskeeping.

Who are Fox Lodge Cricket Club?

• We are a cricket club with under U11, U13 and U15 mixed youth teams.
• We have 3 Senior Men's teams
• We have 1 Senior Women's teams
• We have 1 Mid-week team
• We are a Sport NI 'Club Mark' Accredited Club.
• We run SMASH IT & It's Wicket Cricket program for 65+ children aged from 5-11.
• We provide facilities and coaching for our local Primary School
• We have great facilities for people to come and learn and play the game in a fun and safe environment.

The Project

Our project focuses on increasing the number of volunteers from underrepresented groups, including youth, girls, women, and those over 65, to support the addition of an U11 all-girls team and a woman's 2nd XI. By providing training, courses, and equipment, we aim to empower these volunteers to take on key roles such as coaching, supervision, scoring, umpiring and playing facility maintenance, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that promotes growth and participation in cricket at our club.

How the money raised will help

The increased financial support from Crowdfunder will help us invest in vital resources and training for our club. This includes funding for coaching, umpiring, scoring, and groundskeeping courses, ensuring we have a dedicated team of fully qualified volunteers ready for the season. We also aim to purchase essential coaching equipment, such as cricket balls, stumps, markers, and protective gear, to enhance our training sessions. Additionally, we will hire a hall for coaching sessions, allowing our teams to practice in a safe, weather-proof environment.

To further modernize our approach, we plan to acquire some iPads to enable our scorers to utilize online scoring systems, streamlining match-day operations. With this support, we can provide high-quality coaching, a better match experience, and improved playing facilities for all members of our club, helping us grow and develop our cricket community.

How This Project "Levels the Playing Field"

Cricket has long been a sport dominated by a certain demographic, with fewer opportunities for women and girls, as well as those from underrepresented groups, to access coaching, roles within the club, or leadership positions. By targeting youth (11-18), women, and older adults (65+), our project will actively address these barriers and increase representation within the sport.

• Women and Girls: Our project will enable us to create an U11 all-girls team and a women's 2nd XI, providing an inclusive pathway for female participation at all levels. By focusing on training women as coaches, umpires, and volunteers, we also create role models for younger girls in the sport.
• Children and Young People (11-18): With increased access to coaching, leadership roles, and playing opportunities, we will ensure that young people feel supported and engaged, both on and off the field. This will foster a strong sense of belonging within the club, where youth will feel empowered to take on key volunteer roles.
• Older Adults (65+): Through targeted training and participation programs, we will encourage older adults to engage with cricket in roles that utilize their experience, such as coaching younger players or taking on volunteer duties like groundskeeping or scoring. This will promote intergenerational involvement in the sport, breaking down barriers for older individuals and creating a culture of mutual learning and respect.

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Training and Education

• First Aid Courses (Spring 2025): Our first step is to provide First Aid training to all our new volunteers, ensuring safety and preparedness for all involved in the club’s activities.
• Coaching Courses (Summer 2025): In Summer 2025, we will begin running coaching courses for our new coaches, focusing on both youth and women’s cricket. These courses will be specifically designed to help our volunteers gain the skills necessary to coach all age groups and genders.

Phase 2: Specialized Volunteer Courses

• Scoring Courses (Autumn 2025): We will provide online scoring courses for volunteers, making match-day operations smoother and more efficient.
• Courses for Groundskeepers (Winter 2025/26): These specialized courses will ensure that volunteers can assist with maintaining our playing facilities, creating a high-quality environment for training and matches.

Phase 3: Umpiring Courses and Final Implementation

• Umpiring Courses (Winter 2025/26): To create a full team of qualified volunteers, we will offer umpiring courses, ensuring that we have enough trained umpires for matches.
• Coaching Roll-out: With our courses completed, we will be in a position expand coaching for youth and women’s teams setting the stage for a more inclusive, diverse cricket club for the 2026 season.