Our cricket facilities welcome the community to come together again, watch cricket, train, re-build friendships, improve wellbeing, health and encourage all ages to get involved with this wonderful sport... but to do this, we need our nets! Sports like cricket play a pivitol role in our communities! Although the initial focus is on a community asset for our users, volunteers, sponsors and partners - the wider impact of us being able to reach more people is really exciting! The cricket nets are a vital part of the club and used most days of the week from April through to September by junior and senior members. It's fantastic that they are used so much and by so many people, but the carpets are wearing out, the sub-base needs to be re-surfaced to stop balls leaping up and we need new netting as the groundsman made 81 hole repairs in the spring! COVID meant a stop to our usual fundraising activity and we need your help now, more than ever!

What we'll deliver:

• Both lane carpets lifted and sub-base repaired and re-levelled
• New carpet in lane one to replace worn out carpet
• New netting for both lanes
• Safety netting added to protect nets from animals getting caught up

Why it's a great idea:

The project will allow us to continue to safely use the nets, providing hundreds of hours of use every year. Practice facilities are key to continued success of Saltwood Cricket Club as well as other clubs that use our nets. Enabling our club to thrive means we can then reach more of the non-cricket community as a Community Hub and welcome those user groups that might not usually feel cricket is for them. This is where the interesting work really starts! But first we need to ensure we have a strong base to grow from. Community sports such as cricket support increases physical fitness, reduces anti-social behaviour and improves mental health and wellbeing.

Steps to get it done:

• Refurbishment of cricket nets by contractor

Having safe and secure cricket practice facilities are so important to the development of cricketers’ skills, especially youngsters who can spend hours hitting cricket balls. Making the jump from junior to senior cricket is tough, so getting practice in is key to the transition. Losing players aged 14/15 is a problem in cricket so we want our younger players to enjoy their first years in senior cricket and not drop out. Giving them the confidence through practice to make the step up is key.