New stretch target
Reaching our stretch target will mean we can increase the size of the proposed training space to accommodate more players in the practice area.
To replace the club's existing 15 year old nets with a new ECB standard training area.
by James Williams in Chippenham, South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Reaching our stretch target will mean we can increase the size of the proposed training space to accommodate more players in the practice area.
Marshfield Cricket Club is a village cricket club on the outskirts of Bath on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border. We’re currently home to 12 junior boys’ and girls’ teams, 2 women’s sides and 4 adult sides.
We’re one of the largest Junior sections in Wiltshire, with over 230 Junior members. We also have over 80 senior members at the club playing regular cricket. Our junior section has now grown so much that we’re having to consider capping numbers in some of the Junior sides!
The short answer is that the increased use of our existing nets has meant they're becoming dangerous and need to be replaced. The current nets were installed over 15 years ago. Although we’ve managed to keep them in good condition in that time, the wear and tear is starting to show.
We also want to improve the existing space to make the practice area more flexible and allow for greater numbers to use it. The more juniors we can accommodate, the less pressure is put on the rest of the ground (and we also don’t have to turn anyone away!)
With Marshfield being a rural community, the cricket club plays a big part in keeping children in the local community active and also acting as a social hub for families in the village. We regularly engage with the local community hosting regular events and fund raisers for projects inside and outside the cricket club.
We know that for the club to continue to thrive, it’s essential that we continue to improve the facilities at the club to accommodate as many junior and senior players from the local community as possible.
Whenever cricket receives more mainstream coverage, we see a positive impact on numbers at the club. What was great about Birmingham 2022 was the increased coverage of the women’s T20 side. We’ve now got over 100 junior girls registered with the club for the 2023 season and will be launching our women’s hardball team this year as well.
To respond to the increased demand, and give more children the chance to play cricket, we want to improve our existing training area by replacing our no-longer fit-for-purpose outdoor cricket nets and upgrading our mobile net facilities.
We will install a 2-lane state-of-the-art ECB-approved all-weather nets facility that can be used both by the club and by third parties. This will increase the quantity and quality of training we can offer and provide the local community with another sports facility at a time when such spaces are in high demand.
There are three 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! There are some great rewards available and every donation is a massive help.
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 on social media and on the platform.
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