Marsden CC 2023 Crowdfunder

Marsden Cricket Club

About us;

Marsden Cricket Club is a popular community club, situated in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. Historically, South Shields is well known for coal mining, with our club being formed in 1925 for local miners to enjoy their weekly cricket fix after a long week 'down the pit'. Our Club was previously located next to the iconic Souter Lighthouse before relocating to our current home, The Jack Clark Park, towards the end of the 1930's - where it has remained to this day.

The Cricket Club is a member of the Durham & North East Cricket League, with four adult teams playing in the divisions of this competition. We have a thriving junior section including; a successful ECB All-Stars programme, as well as U9's, U11's & U13's teams playing in the Durham Junior Cricket League, and an U19 team who play in a knockout tournament. We are also in the process of growing our very own Girls/ Women's team, and the potential of creating our very own Walking Cricket team. 

Across the winter months we also have 4 football teams who call the Jack Clark Park their home. These team's include 2 junior football teams, and 2 senior football teams. 

Recent History; 

After the Covid-19 pandemic stretched our club financially like a lot of clubs and businesses, in 2021 Storm Arwen left our ground unrecognisable. We were left with the destruction of perimeter fencing and safety netting; damage to score boxes, roofing, decking and covers. With a lot of hard work and dedication, our amazing supporters and volunteers were able to get our ground back into great shape, however with some areas still requiring some much needed TLC. We would also like to take this opportunity to everyone who donated to our Crowdfunder last year, with all money raised going towards the repair and restoration of our ground whilst supporting our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Marsden Cricket Club across the Community;

Marsden Cricket Club has strong links to its local community. In the past 20 years we have supported a number of local primary schools, delivering specialist sessions which engage, and provide opportunities for young people. For our 2023 campaign we are thrilled to have a successful application for the continuation of the ECB's Initiative 'Chance to Shine'. Across the past decade we have also supported a number of local projects including; Cubs, Beavers & bereavement groups, along with playing host to a number of charity days and schemes. These links and initiatives are central to our clubs ethos and beliefs and have been the basis of our club structure for a number of years.

Marsden Cricket Club also provides an inclusive environment for all of its members, and individuals throughout the local community. We have a diverse range of members from various abilities, experiences and backgrounds. In recent years, we have played host a local Bangladeshi tape ball cricket team, who have used our ground throughout the summer months. We have also been thrilled to have played host to a number of local Indian cricket teams, and provide their players with the ability to use our facilities. We are also in talks with a number of local community groups to help grow and develop these opportunities in the future.

Why we are doing this?

• Our mission is to make sport affordable for all, with a goal of ensuring NO ONE misses out of participating in sport due to its financial cost. 

• Even though we are in a cost of living crisis, we have froze our annual subscription costs for both senior and junior members, keeping us as the cheapest in our local area for over 3 decades.

• The club have developed its very own flexible payment scheme to ensure families are not hindered through the cost of sport. 

• The continuation of our sibling link scheme. 

• We have reduced the cost of our Winter Training to the lowest it has ever been, and are leaving our Summer Training as FREE for all. 

• To utilise revenue towards our bar and beer garden, whilst ensuring a safe, welcoming and family centred environment for all. 

• To develop, modernise and renew our ground to ensure its long-term financial stability and future. 

• To continue to improve our offer across the local community, and develop our very own Women's/ Girls cricket team.

• To create our own Walking Cricket Team, ensuring opportunities for a wider range of individuals across the community.

• To reach our long-term legacy of making sport FREE for all.

How we will spend the money raised;

• Refurbish the interior of our club house and bar space.
• Replace and renew surrounding areas of our ground. 
• To improve our heating systems to make us a more hospitable place.
• Refurbish and upgrade our changing facilities. 
• Modernise our practice facilities.
• To begin to upgrade playing surfaces to meet higher demands of usage through the formation of a Women's/ Girls team.  
• To purchase equipment for the formation of a Walking Cricket Team. 

How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022;

The 2022 Commonwealth Games was an historic event for cricket, with the Men's and Women's game making it debut on the Commonwealth Stage. With our junior structure continuing to grow, and an influx of girls joining our ranks, we have ever growing plans for Women's / Girl's Cricket across our club, along with the continued develop of our Junior structure.

As part of our project we are aiming to receive 'Match Funding' from Sport England's - Places & Spaces Campaign. We hope this will allow us to create and maintain a legacy across the community. 

HELP US TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL!

1. Make a Pledge

We appreciate any donation big, or small. Don't delay!!!

2. Spread the Word

Share our project with family and friends, and get behind us on our social media channels! The more people we reach, the more support we will receive!

3. Offer us Rewards

If you are or know any local businesses ask them to support us by offering rewards to our project. Or ask them to support us by utilising one of our Sponsorship Packages. 

4. Have your own fundraiser to support us!

Use the button on our page to support us by having a collection on your own!

Our target is to raise  5,000 in donations, with this being matched by Sport England. Every penny that we raise will be spent on our cricket club, and supporting the development of young cricketers across South Tyneside. 

Your donation, no matter how big or small, is greatly appreciated and our heartfelt thanks go to you as we work towards hitting our target.

THANK YOU!!!!