New 2-lane net for improved practice and coaching

Aim

We're crowdfunding to purchase two new non-turf practice nets that will hugely improve our cricketing facilities.

Who are we?

We are Holyport Cricket Club and we have Men’s, Women’s, Junior, Disability and Walking Cricket sections providing cricket for ALL ages and abilities.

Over the last six years we have seen massive growth from just 30 members across two men’s teams in 2017, to over 200 men, women, girls and boys playing across all sections in 2024. 

Disability Cricket (launched in 2021) and Walking Cricket (launched in 2023) are provided free of charge thanks to our volunteers and sponsors.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are raising money for new two new non-turf cricket nets to help deliver our vision of providing outstanding cricket coaching and to increase participation.

Today, we have a single concrete-based net and three mobile cages. However, we lack the ability to coach multiple nets together on an all-weather surface. The growth in our junior section is also starting to stretch our net capacity.

Many years ago, we had two nets on the far side of the ground but both have long since deteriorated. The plan is to re-develop this area (as below) to install a larger two-lane caged net facility.

This will allow for improved coaching and safer group practice, enabling us to scale participation in cricket at both junior and senior level. Additionally, it will allow more cricket to be played at the ground out-of-season or during inclement weather. 

That's why we are reaching out to our community, to you, for support. 

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality:

1. Make a pledge. Donations will be matched, so every £ you donate gets us ££ closer to our target.

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media and ask the world to get behind us.

3. Offer rewards. If you are a local business you can get involved by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

How we’ll spend the money raised

All of the money raised in this crowdfunding will go towards the cost of the new net facility. We are aiming to raise £7500 through crowdfunding, plus £7500 match funding from the Sport England Movement Fund. 

Community impact

Adding the new nets will improve our offering and increase participation in local grass roots sport. As a club we have really raised our profile in the local community over the past six years. Here's a few highlights:

• CRICKET FOR ALL - From ages 5 to 105, we have cricket for all; regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or ability.
• LEADING THE WAY - We are the only club-run Disability team in Berkshire and ran Berkshire’s first Disability Cricket Festival in 2023. We launched the first Walking Cricket in Berkshire in 2023 and are running the counties first Walking Cricket Festival in 2024.
• NATIONAL RECOGNITION - Find out how our Disability Cricket with this Blog from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of their Disability Cricket Month. Our Disability section also got a mention at the launch of 'Raising the Game' - the ECBs Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity programme in 2022. Segment is 16mins 20 secs in, for about 2 mins
• YOUNG TALENT - In six years our junior section has grown from six players to over 130. We are just starting to see our first Berkshire squad members coming through and will have a record number of junior teams in 2024. For our older juniors, we actively encourage the move from junior to senior cricket with spaces reserved in our senior 2nd XI team each week.

We're passionate about cricket and creating a high quality facility for the Holyport community.

This project successfully funded on 20th August 2024