Council’s £15,000 UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant brings all-weather skills development to Eastwood Town Cricket Club.

Largely due to the flooding experienced at the ground last October, members were unable to train or hold a match on their ground for the first quarter of the season. Because the nets are unaffected by the weather, the club was still able to hold training sessions for men, women and juniors for most of the season, enabling more members to develop their cricketing skills. 

The grant means the club can now offer the same facilities as other clubs in the league. Eastwood has several areas of deprivation and the club was keen to encourage participation by keeping membership fees low. The club is focused on developing teams at all levels and believe the new nets have attracted new members.

The grant was made possible through the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) from the UK Government. The club raised match funding from the England Cricket Board via Nottinghamshire Recreational Cricket, local businesses and their own fundraising efforts.

The nets had their ‘official’ opening earlier this year over the August Bank Holiday weekend to coincide with the club’s first beer festival. 

Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Assets, Councillor Milan Radulovic MBE said, ‘I am delighted that Eastwood Town Cricket Club were granted UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding that is proving to be such a benefit for the club. It encouraging that these facilities are attracting new members, particularly to the women’s and junior teams. They will have the opportunity to lead healthier and energetic lives. Eastwood has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK and this investment in the cricket club is most welcome.’

Club Secretary Judith Humphries said, ‘I am positive that the nets have helped us to attract new players. We are only a small club but have a couple of new players in our men's team as well as growing our women's team by 5 players - we now have over 30 women signed on to play cricket in one format or another. Other good news is that our senior 2nd Team, who play in the SNCL, won promotion to Division K, our women's Super 8s hardball team were runners-up in Division 1 North of the EMWCL, and our women's softball team came 3rd in Division 1. You could say that all that extra training and hard work has made a huge difference.’

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is UK Government funded and Broxtowe Borough Council has been allocated a total of £2,584,477 over a three-year period, 2022-25. Activity funded in 2024/5 includes local business, skills and community projects, including a set of community grant-funded projects.