Always on
This project successfully funded on 16th June 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Sidley Cricket Club: A Foundation for the Future!
Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Aim: The aim of the project is to upgrade our playing field and training area, increase our car park, and install electricity at our ground
Who are we?
Sidley Cricket club was formed in 1901 with one mantra "Cricket should be for everyone. We've stuck to that ever since, aiming to provide cricket and community to our part of East Sussex.
We currently operate with two league XI's, a development squad to help bring the next generation of youngsters through, and a continually growing youth set up.
At our core, we are and will always be for the community of Sidley.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are aiming to raise £63,000 to improve our playing and training areas, increase our car parking facilities, and install electricity to the ground.
How we’ll spend the money raised
£5000 would go towards improving the Playing and Training areas. Our current playing outfield is uneven and poorly maintained, limiting our ability to host regular and effective training sessions for our 1st, 2nd and youth teams. This directly impacts the quality of our youth program and restricts the number of young people we can reach.
By levelling the outfield, we will:
- Increase the capacity of our youth training sessions: Allowing us to engage more vulnerable young people.
- Improve the quality of training: Providing a safe and suitable surface for developing cricket skills.
- Enhance the overall experience for our young players: Boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
- Create a more welcoming and inclusive environment: Encouraging greater participation from all members of the community.
We would spend £12,000 on increasing our car parking facilities, which are severely inadequate, with only 10 spaces available. This creates significant challenges for visiting teams, supporters, and particularly for individuals with disabilities. By expanding our parking facilities to 35-40 spaces, we will:
- Improve accessibility for all: Including dedicated disabled parking spaces to ensure inclusivity.
- Enhance the match day experience: Providing ample parking for visiting teams and supporters, increasing attendance and community engagement.
- Reduce on street parking congestion, which is currently a problem.
- Allow for easier access for those who are transporting children to events.
Furthermore, the installation of electricity at our ground is a crucial step in modernising our facilities and expanding our future options. The estimated cost for this project is £40,000. The benefits of installing electricity include:
- Extended Training and Event Hours: Electricity will allow us to install floodlights, enabling training and matches to continue into the evening, particularly during the shorter winter months. This will significantly increase the availability of our facilities for youth programs and community events.
- Improved Facilities: Electricity will enable us to power essential equipment such as kitchen appliances for refreshments, and lighting for changing rooms, enhancing the overall experience for players and visitors.
- Enhanced Community Events: With electricity, we can host a wider range of community events, such as evening matches, fundraising events, and social gatherings, fostering greater community engagement and generating additional revenue for the club.
- Safer Environment: Installing security lighting will improve the safety and security of the ground, particularly during evening activities.
- Modernisation and Future Proofing: Installing electricity is a vital step in modernising our facilities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the club.
Community impact
Sidley Cricket Club's impact extends beyond the boundary rope, offering a vital community hub that benefits a wide range of individuals and groups.
Firstly, and most importantly, our youth program directly addresses the needs of vulnerable young people within Sidley. The area faces significant challenges with high crime rates, creating a difficult environment for young people to thrive. By providing a safe, structured, and supportive environment, we offer an escape from these challenges. Our programs build confidence, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and foster a sense of belonging, which are crucial for young people facing disadvantage.
Secondly, the levelling of the outfield and the expansion of parking facilities will directly benefit the wider community by improving accessibility and inclusivity. The enhanced parking will make the club more accessible to individuals with disabilities, families with young children, and visiting teams, thereby increasing participation and community engagement. This makes the club a more welcoming space for everyone, not just cricket players.
Thirdly, the installation of a reliable electricity supply will transform the club into a multi-purpose community facility. With electricity, we can install floodlights, extending the club's usability into the evenings and winter months. This will allow us to host a wider range of community events, such as local fairs, social gatherings, and other sporting activities. The ability to use electric kitchen equipment and heating will make the club a more comfortable and functional space for all members of the community.
Furthermore, by moving away from noisy and polluting generators, we are demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability, which benefits the entire community. The club will become a more pleasant and environmentally friendly space.
In essence, Sidley Cricket Club serves as a crucial social asset. It's not just about cricket; it's about providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, build relationships, and participate in positive activities. The improvements we are seeking will amplify this impact, creating a lasting legacy for the entire community.
How you can play your part
There are two simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
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.