Marsden CC 2024 Crowdfunder

Aim

Due to the cost of living crisis, we are looking to raise funds to help cover costs and continue with much needed maintenance on our ground.

Marsden Cricket Club

About us;

Marsden Cricket Club is a popular community club, situated in 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. We have recently started our very own Walking Cricket team, and have worked closely with Durham CCC building strong links with them towards SEN Cricket and are in the process of becoming a Champion Club for Special Needs and Disability- the only one within South Tyneside! We are also in the process of growing our very own Girls/ Women's 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. 

How we will spend the money raised;

• Continue refurbishments across our club house and bar space. Last year with the money raised from our funder we were able to fund new radiators, upgrade our tuck shop and a number of other important areas across our club. This year we will contribute significant amount to ensure our pavilion continues to become modernised and a welcome and hospitable abode for all. 
• Replace, renew and maintain surrounding areas of our ground. Across a number of years exterior parts of our ground have suffered a great deal of wear and tear. In recent years hard work has gone into the cricket club to create our very own beer garden to view our matches. We hope that this money will allow us to do more work to our ground like this. 
• Refurbish our changing facilities. As our changing facilities host a range of cricket teams across summer months, and a number of football teams throughout the winter our changing rooms often require a little bit of TLC. With some of the money raised we will look to freshen up our home and away changing rooms in order to be the perfect environment for all. 
• Invest in equipment to upgrade playing surfaces to meet higher demands of usage. Due to the high volume of teams that use our ground across the winter and summer throughout the local community we will use some of the money to ensure out playing surfaces are at an elite sporting level for all persons to partake in their relevant sport. 
• To purchase equipment for the formation of a Walking Cricket Team. In recent months we have been working alongside Durham CCC to create our very own walking cricket team. As this is something we would like to continue to expand we will require to purchase some necessary equipment to continue to progress our team!

HELP US TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL!

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. 

In 2023 we also reached out to our extremely loyal and generous supporters; with the aim of enhancing and modernising our clubhouse, making this a more hospitable place for the community. With the money raised we were able to purchase a number of new electric radiators for our bar, along with the refurbishment of our tuck shop and the odd lick of paint around the ground!

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 2024 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. In 2023 we were also thrilled to create a strong partnership with Durham CCC towards SEN and Disability cricket. 

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 continue to offer the cheapest annual subscription in our local area. 
• 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. 
• To continue our strong partnerships with local schools, charities and organisations
• To reach our long-term legacy of making sport FREE for all. 

What YOU can do!

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!!!!

This project successfully funded on 29th April 2024