New Net Facilities - #925challenge

Current Facilities

As you can see from the images, our current facility is showing its age and become almost unusable. We would greatly appreciate your support in getting this project over the line.

Junior Cricket 

Friday nights at the cricket club are a hive of activity, with training for juniors aged 5 upwards. The ECB’s All Stars Cricket programme has helped to see our junior numbers swell in recent years. In 2021 we plan to launch a Dynamos Cricket section, offering the next step for 8 – 12-year-olds. However, as a club we recognise a perpetual challenge to engage teenage players into the game. We’ve been blessed with very talented Under 15 and Under 16 squads in recent years, many of whom have gone on to represent the club in our senior sides. But this year we hope to use our new practice facilities and collaboration with local secondary schools to create an exciting playing offer for teenagers, regardless of previous playing experience.

Senior Teams

Our successful junior set-up has over the years produced many of our current senior players, and we work hard to ensure an enjoyable and supported transition from junior to senior cricket. However, we are also extremely proud of the numerous players who join our ranks as adults. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming club and always ensure playing opportunities for everyone, regardless of experience or level.

Our 1st Team play in the Somerset Premier Division, and our 2nd Team in Division 6 – with both teams recently achieving promotions into their respective divisions. Meanwhile our Sunday team compete in the Midwessex League and, whilst their successes in this league have been numerous, our greatest achievement is the number of young players that are regularly fielded in this side.

Long Sutton Ladies:

Launched in 2018, the ladies’ section has been a fantastic addition to our club. From informal training, to friendly fixtures, the section has grown year on year and we look forward to our first year in the Somerset Cricket Board league this summer. Continuing to grow and develop opportunities for women and girls is a priority focus for the club and development of our practice facilities will be a fundamental part of this.

Fundraising Ambition:  

Long Sutton CC prides itself on being a club at the heart of our community. Playing a vital role in providing a safe and welcoming environment for children and adults to enjoy playing and watching the game of cricket.

However, our involvement within our community goes far beyond just being a place to play cricket. We run fund raising and social events throughout the year, all of which are attended by a mix of our members, their family and friends, as well as many members of the community from Long Sutton and surrounding villages. Christmas Bingo, quiz nights, annual awards evenings and regular Friday evening BBQs are just some examples of how Long Sutton CC have an impact well beyond the boundary ropes.  But we also strive to support other local initiatives and groups as well; from arranging free cricket taster sessions in local schools, to supporting the local Cider Farm’s Wassail evening. However, 2020 sadly saw all of these events placed on hold or cancelled.

In recent years we have made numerous improvements to both the social and playing facilities at the club. These improvements were set to continue in 2020, but with the restrictions of COVID-19, to both play and fundraising, plans have had to change. Financially, we rely heavily on member contributions and fundraising events to run the club and with these drastically restricted last year we are in need of financial support to rebuild and reorientate our very tired practice nets. Useable nets are key for providing a safe and purposeful practice facility for all our current and future members.

COVID-19 has affected everybody and many will have been through great hardship over the past year. For those unable to financially support our Crowdfunding campaign, we ask only that you spread the word and we look forward to welcoming you back to the club this summer. However, if you are able to spare a little, or even a little more than a little, then please do help our club’s development.

Our goal is to raise at least £5,000 with a stretch target of £10,000. The £5,000 will be used to help top-up other funding pots and achieve the net rebuild that we are in desperate need of. Whilst any additional funds will help us to not only complete our new practice net project but ensure that Long Sutton CC can reach out to provide cricket opportunities for as many as possible. We will support the training of current and future cricket coaches to deliver cricket in local primary and secondary schools. The focus will be on providing opportunity where it does not currently exist, either through curricular or extra-curricular activity. With a growing female playing offer at the club and our ambition to increase the number of teenagers’ playing opportunities at Long Sutton CC, we feel confident that we have the right pathway for all newcomers. Finally, additional funding will allow us to support everyone to access the game at Long Sutton CC. COVID-19 has caused great financial hardship for many and we don’t want cost of membership or expensive equipment to be any sort of barrier. Therefore, we shall set-up a hardship fund and ensure club kit is available, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the game regardless of their expendable income. 

Thank you for your support from all at Long Sutton Cricket Club.