Woodlands CC Ground Improvements

Aim

To raise £25k to buy more picnic tables similar to those we have, change the sportshall lighting & build a new garage to keep equipment safe

Who We are

Woodlands CC is an ECB Clubmark accredited club.  We run 2 senior teams playing in the Bradford Premier Cricket League and junior teams ranging from Under 9s to Under 15s.

The club was formed in 1894 and is run on a voluntary basis.

What we want to do

In 2021, although we returned to playing cricket, our income was down considerably.

Our clubhouse had minimal usage during the summer due to its size and Covid restrictions that were in place. Our sportshall has seen many who had used the facilities before not returning after Covid.

However, we want to keep on improving our facilities.  

• We want to buy more picnic tables similar to the ones we bought last year. These were well received and enjoyed by many people.
• We are looking to change the lighting in the sportshall to more efficient LED fittings, which will help reduce our carbon footprint.

The lighting in the sportshall is to be changed to LED fittings

• We also need to build a new garage to keep the mower we purchased last year safe. 

The site for the new garage and the plans below.

Other projects are hoped to be started soon which will further enhance the ground and facilities for the benefit of many.

Role in the Community

Situated within the city of Bradford the area consists of a number of multi-cultural communities.

We pride ourselves in a being a diverse and inclusive cricket club and an active part of the local community. Our junior teams comprise both girls and boys of all ages and abilities with junior training being led by Mohammed Salim

Our facilities are used by many, not only for cricket practice, but 5 a side football, table tennis, rugby, keep fit & Zumba as well as school holiday clubs, after school clubs and local councillors for their clinics.  We host the summer gala & Christmas Fayre for the local Oakenshaw community.  Oakenshaw Community Choir also have used our facilities for carol concerts for the community.

Over 20 BAME cricket clubs utilise our training facilities.  

Our ground and facilities are also used by West Yorkshire Girls & MCC Foundation Bradford Girls Hub U15s who recently won a national competition at Lords. 

The facilities have also been used recently to encourage disabled people to participate in sport.

We have formed close links with a number of schools who do not have sports facilities and with other organistions who cater for children who have been expelled from main stream education, offering them the space to encourage an active lifestyle.

What we Bought

2020 saw all of our income streams stopped because of Covid.  

We ran a Crowdfunder appeal to help cover some of the losses we had suffered because of Covid and to help improve the existing facilities.  It was very successful and we managed to achieve a fantastic outcome with the support of Sport England Active Together.  

The money was spent on

•  trees for around the ground,
•  a new outfield mower 
• picnic tables and hardwood seating for the new terrace which was also extended. The new area was enjoyed by many of all ages over the summer.

The new mower

Matched Funding

Sport England have extended their "Return to Play: Active Together" initiative which pledges towards the project fund providing we meet their criteria. 

They  have pledged 40% of our project total provided we manage to raise £15,000 from a 100 different qualifying pledges (To qualify the pledge needs be from a different payment card & use a different email address).

How can you help?

We need to generate donations from members, families, friends and the wider community to help us complete these projects and cover the lost income because of the Covid pandemic.

We are aware that both businesses & individuals have also been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 and are just starting to recover. However, if you can spare any money to donate, large or small, we would really appreciate the support.

If you do pledge a family donation, please can you pay for each family member separately.

Thank you

This project successfully funded on 14th January 2022