Project Phoenix

Aim

Project Phoenix aims to provide a much-needed community based cricket pavilion with facilities for local residents post Covid-19 pandemic.

Salfords Cricket Club

Our lively and popular cricket club was set up back in 1921 by local resident and Army officer, Thomas Enver. In the sixties, the club moved to its current ground to make way for a local primary school - and the new pavilion came with a 30 year shelf life...

The club has grown rapidly in popularity and support over the last few years, and now offers cricket to nearly 250 people of mixed backgrounds and gender. We pride ourselves on our inclusive club ethos. We currently run the following teams:

• 4 Saturday Senior XI and 2 Sunday Senior XI
• 1 women's team
• Multiple junior teams (boys and girls) from age 5-16, with over 150 juniors!
• All Stars and Dynamo Cricket
• Refugee cricket programme

Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic effectively closed the pavilion for all use. Popular social events have not been held for several years as our dated pavilion could not cater for the rules and regulations that came with Covid-19.  Financially, this has prevented the club from developing the facilities, yet demand is increasing for places.

What we need funding for

We've invested nearly £60k over the last 8 years - providing new nets, scoreboard, covers, electrical goods, tactical improvement to the bar/pavilion, new extended square and general ground improvements. Most of the projects were grant/sponsorship funded, with the club covering about 20% of the costs.

The final part of the grand plan is to build a new community Cricket Pavilion at the current location of Petridge Wood Common in Surrey, to meet the needs of current and future generations. The existing structure is now over 50 years old and is not fit for purpose; for instance, there are no proper facilities for girls/women or players/members with disabilities. It is generally dilapidated in appearance and is in need of constant repair.  

How much will it cost?

The project will cost close to £1.4m. We have raised over £1.2m through the Reigate & Banstead CIL fund, Your Fund Surrey grants and club funds.  

The club is looking to raise the balance through other grants and this crowdfunding appeal.  

What will we get?

• The new pavilion will have modern facilities (e.g. changing rooms and toilets) that can accommodate all gender, disability and safeguarding requirements of a growing and increasingly diverse cricket community.  
• This project will directly promote healthy lifestyles and support the delivery of cricket in the community to all age groups and genders.  
• In this semi-rural area with a lack of amenities, the existing site has attracted antisocial behaviour, especially during the summer months. This includes petty vandalism, drug use, underage drinking and littering.  
• We will create a clean, safe and green space for the local community - an inclusive facility that everyone can benefit from.
• The project plan includes a meeting space for local community groups and a volunteer-led coffee shop. It will provide an opportunity to create a dynamic hub, helping to bring together the local community in a positive way.
• This facility will also serve the needs of local residents who use the woods and common space for recreational purposes, e.g. ramblers and dog walkers.

Benefits

• Sport and physical activity can be used to great effect in bringing about a number of positive social outcomes, particularly for young people. 
• Community sports clubs play a central role in creating healthy and connected communities and in sustaining vibrant local economies.

• Local sports help build personal confidence, community engagement and a sense of belonging and security, especially for local young people. 
• A new facility to help us join together again as a community post Covid-19 is vital to our physical, mental and social health.

Salfords Cricket Club ethos

• A welcoming and supportive environment for all.
• Our club is enshrined in the ideals of sportsmanship and the particular importance of etiquette and fair play, to help players develop respect for authority, a sense of self-esteem and self-discipline.
• We support volunteering opportunities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award, and this project will help grow and enhance the opportunities the club currently provides. 
• The club have created a refugee programme whereby we will run cricket programmes and offer volunteering opportunities

Is there local support?

There has been extremely positive feedback from the community to the planning application, which was granted planning approval in September 2021. 

The club enjoys great community support from Councillor James Baker, Councillor Andrew King and Councillor Victoria Chester Reigate and Banstead council and Surrey County Councillor Andy Lynch.

Testimonials from the Parish Council and Dunottar School

"The cricket club is an essential part of our community offering sport to the young and old. The Parish Council has been very impressed with how the Junior section has expanded over the years and we are pleased to see more and more children taking part in cricket at Salfords.

The cricket club is very active in community engagement and fundamental to bringing the benefit of sport to the residents. The new pavilion would offer another place in our villages for community cohesion, which is essential in making Salfords and Sidlow more attractive, whilst enhancing the quality of life for our residents and all other people that will benefit from the new cricket pavilion."  Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council 

"Salfords have assisted the school's DofE [Duke of Edinburgh] programme by allowing our pupils to volunteer and coach their junior department. This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils, which has seen them grow and develop as individuals by giving back to the local community and by also giving back to a club that has done so much for the school. This is something we are looking to grow as the school grows and as more and more pupils take on DofE."  Dunottar School    

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. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

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!

4. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea

Our community will be the winner.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made