New nets will be installed in the new year at Swindon Cricket Club after funds were raised by its members to improve the facilities.
The club is one of the oldest cricket institutions in the country, having been going for 179 years but the nets currently at the club no longer match the status of such a proud club.
Daniel Harris, 37, has been the club’s chairman for a couple of weeks, having been the vice-chairman for five years beforehand and believes the investment is fantastic news.
“This is a once in a generation investment, so it is a really exciting project,” he stated.
“It is so nice to show people that there is clear investment in sporting facilities in the borough too.”
The cost of the nets was significant, with the price estimated to be around the £40,000 mark, meaning investments were needed to cover the bulk of the expenditure.
“We received a five-figure grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board which was administered by the Wiltshire Cricket County Grants Fund,” said Daniel.
“We also received a grant from Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd, administered by the Landfill Communities Fund, which was the largest contribution.”
Alongside the grants, fundraisers were also held by the club to help contribute to the overall cost of the project.
“We’re constantly in fundraising mode and we recently had one of our biggest fundraisers on Bonfire Night which helped with this,” revealed Daniel.
“Some of the proceeds were donated to the Swindon Food Collective charity and well over a couple of thousand people attended, making it a rip-roaring success.”
The new nets are of a significantly updated design to the older ones which have been in place for over two decades.
“They are to the modern spec and are far longer than the current ones that we have which are deteriorating,” said Daniel.
“This means that our bowlers can practice proper run-ups now rather than cutting their runs short due to lack of space.”
Over 500 people regularly use the club each year and Daniel is in no doubt that this latest upgrade will massively benefit all at the club going forwards.
“The nets are the hub of the club in terms of training and development,” he said.
“Upgrading them will allow us to continue to develop young cricketers in a safe environment to the fullest of their abilities.”
The project is expected to be completed ahead of the new cricket season which will commence in April of next year but the implementation is of course weather dependent.
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