A CRICKET club that's been at the heart of its community since it was formed in 1966 is trying to raise cash to build a top-class practice facility.
Evenwood Cricket Club already has £23,000 towards the project, which will see all-weather nets being installed at the Welfare Ground.
A further £10,000 is needed – of which £5,000 must be raised locally and £5,000 would be matched-funded.
Luke Bannister, from the club, said: “As you can imagine £10,000 is a lot of money to any amateur sports club, and in particularly Evenwood CC, as we have no clubhouse or bar facilities to fundraise from. The pandemic also hit the club hard like every sports team and we are only just starting to fully recover from the two years of incredibly difficult times.
“We are looking to install an all weather practice facility at our ground. The facility will consist of two practice lanes with a playing surface suitable for practice during inclement weather as well as an enclosed netted cage.”
The amateur cricket club has an adult first and second team, and runs under-18, under-13 and under under-9 sides.
The club helps to provide activities for young people in a deprived area.
Mr Bannister said: “Since 2018 we have provided ECB schemes to the local schools to keep kids active and provide a pathway into cricket, through All Stars and Dynamo cricket programmes with over 30 children taking part from local schools last season.”
He said the all-weather practice nets would massively increase capacity for junior practice sessions, attract new players and make the cub more sustainable and improve performances.
People can make a pledge via an online fundraising page and claim one of the rewards on offer. Rewards include an afternoon tea for two at Mollies Tea Room, in West Auckland, for a donation of £15; Nandos vouchers for £18; and a coaching masterclass from the club’s professional for a donation of £40 or more.
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