Olympic Legacy Fund has provided £30,392 of match funding
Upgrade of Facilities at DSK Cricket Club
Ballynahinch, Newry, Mourne and Down, United Kingdom
Aim
Drumaness SuperKings CC want to use the Olympic Legacy Fund to help support investment into our facilities, to help cater for our membership
Aim
Drumaness SuperKings Cricket Club (DSK) is applying to the Olympic Legacy Fund to develop modern, accessible and high-quality cricket facilities that will serve our rapidly growing membership and strengthen sport provision for the entire community. This investment will enable us to improve essential infrastructure, enhance our spectator experience, and ensure our facilities can support participation across all ages and ability levels.
Club Background
Drumaness SuperKings Cricket Club is the central sporting hub of the rurally isolated village of Drumaness. With over 60 adult members, 30 young people in our junior player pathway, and a thriving junior academy, we are one of the largest and fastest-growing cricket clubs in the Northern Cricket Union.
We field two senior men’s teams, a women’s team, and junior sides at U11 and U13 levels. Our ethos is centred on inclusivity: we aim to provide opportunities for everyone in the village and surrounding areas, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or background. The club plays a vital role in community wellbeing, offering a safe, welcoming environment where people can stay active, make connections, and engage in sport.
What Is Our Project?
DSK is undertaking a significant facility-development project that will transform our club’s infrastructure and secure its future for the next generation. This project will deliver:
Support to our new 2 bay practice facility.
Groundworks supporting two major current development projects
Preparatory works for modular changing rooms
Maximisation of the area around the practice facility
Creation of a safe and accessible spectator area
Upgrade of the scorehut and scoreboard
Purchase of a bowling machine and batting cage to enhance training capacity
These improvements will strengthen the club’s ability to host training sessions, matches, and community events, providing a long-term legacy for cricket participation in the region.
Why This Project Matters
Cricket in our area continues to grow, but the club’s facilities have not kept pace with demand. Improving our infrastructure is essential to:
Increase capacity to meet rising membership numbers
Support year-round coaching and practice opportunities
Provide safe, modern and accessible facilities for players, volunteers, families, and spectators
Improve the quality of training for junior and senior cricketers
Ensure that the club can host fixtures, festivals and community events at an appropriate standard
The Olympic Legacy Fund investment would create a lasting improvement in community sport, enabling DSK to continue delivering high-quality cricket opportunities to people of all ages.
How Will the Money Be Spent?
Item Supplier Cost
Contribution to the new 2 bay practice area from Haffeys - £13200
Groundworks to Support Existing Projects via Adam Rodgers Building Contractor - £23,086.08. Including Preparatory Groundworks for Modulars and Maximisation of the area around the Practice Facility.
Upgrade of Scorehut / Scoreboard Cartwright Sports £6,960
Bowling Machine & Batting Cage from Durant £3,510
Total Project Cost - £46,756.08
These works are essential components of a phased development plan designed to modernise the entire cricket facility and support continued club growth.
Who Will Benefit from This Project?
The Club Community
The project will create an improved and more professional environment for players, volunteers, and supporters. Enhanced facilities will also make it easier to recruit and retain members, coaches, and community partners.
Local Young People
Children and young people in Drumaness and surrounding areas will benefit from improved training conditions, safer practice environments, and more opportunities to engage with sport.
Local Schools
Our strengthened facilities will support school–club partnerships, allowing school groups to use the grounds for coaching sessions and inter-school fixtures.
Families and Spectators
New spectator areas and an upgraded site layout will make visiting the club more comfortable and accessible for everyone.
The Wider Community
As one of the few sporting centres in this rural area, DSK plays a crucial role in community wellbeing. Enhanced facilities will support greater social interaction, physical activity, and year-round community engagement.
Community Impact and Long-Term Legacy
This facility enhancement project will deliver a long-lasting legacy for cricket and community sport in Drumaness. By improving accessibility, capacity, and the quality of the playing environment, the project will remove barriers to participation and ensure cricket remains a viable and attractive option for people of all ages.
The upgraded facilities will:
Encourage sustained involvement in sport
Support intergenerational community engagement
Provide a safe, inclusive space for physical activity
Create a welcoming environment for new and returning players
Strengthen community cohesion in a rurally isolated area
Investing in this infrastructure will empower DSK to serve the community not only this season, but for decades to come.
Timeframe
The planned works will take place over a 6-week period, beginning in late February 2027 and concluding before the start of the cricket season at the end of March 2027. This timeline ensures that the upgraded facilities will be fully operational for the first fixtures of the season.
This project successfully funded on 23rd March 2026