Newdigate Cricket Club - Net Replacement Project

Who are we?

Newdigate Cricket Club was formed in 1849, joining the Surrey Downs League in 1999 and then switching to the Fuller’s in 2013.

We offer a friendly environment for cricketers of all ages and abilities.

In 2021, we ran two Saturday sides in the Fuller’s Brewery Surrey County League. The 1st XI came 7th in the Premier Division and the 2nd XI came second and gained promotion. For 2022, Shepherd Neame has taken over the sponsorship of the league and it is now known as the Surrey County League.

Why are the nets so important to us?

Nets are an integral part of every cricket club, but at Newdigate they are so much more. They are a meeting place and a magnet for boys, girls, men and women of all ages and abilities.

Originally installed in 1994 they are in use almost on a daily basis from March to October each year.

Following years of technical development our nets are now sadly out of date and in desperate need of replacement.

Why do we need new nets?

* The poles of the cage are made from a lightweight material that bend and jump out of the sockets, thus making the structure unstable.

* The cage is only five bays long and should be longer.

* The netting has to be constantly repaired to prevent cricket balls passing through.

* The bases have an inconsistent bounce, thus impairing quality practice.

The effect of COVID-19 on Newdigate Cricket Club

Since the start of the pandemic, the net facility has been the one part of the club that has remained accessible to all club members due to it being outdoors and allowing for social distancing. We have incorporated a booking system to allow numbers to be controlled. This increase in usage throughout the pandemic has detrimentally impacted on the quality of the net system. In order to be able to maintain the increased use, we require a more appropriate dual net system.

With cricket matches being restricted throughout the pandemic, the training facility has been the only method of continuing to offer cricket to our members in a socially distanced and safe environment.

Health & Safety

One of our principal issues is health and safety. The club is growing, with many young families attending on a regular basis and our coaches have to be constantly vigilant in case someone encroaches into the danger area.

Newdigate Cricket Club is a community-based club and our premises are also used by plates, yoga, table tennis, football, scout and cub groups.

We are Clubmark accredited and we run four junior cricket teams, one ladies team, six adults teams and All Stars Cricket. We currently have 97 junior registrations. We also run the Chance to Shine Scheme at the club for years one and two for Newdigate Infant’s School pupils. During the school holidays we run a week-long summer camp.

The poor quality of the nets affects people in two ways - health and safety and performance. A new, approved fully enclosed net system is the only solution to our problems. We are requesting £50,000 which is the total project cost.