Cricket club bowled over by £100k funding award

Through Newark and Sherwood District Council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Newark R&M Cricket Club has been awarded funding of £100,000 to help them achieve their £450,000 plans for site improvements.

Newark R&M Cricket Club is one of many organisations across the district to benefit from this fund. Five open-aged teams competing across various levels, three senior women’s and girls’ teams and five junior teams, providing cricket to over 150 members and in addition in excess of 700 visiting individuals across opposing teams throughout the season. The £100k award will help them to redevelop their site which is on Kelham Road, Newark. The funding will be used to undertake essential electrical upgrades on site, as well as a contribution towards the development of new changing rooms and facilities, supporting the long-term sustainability of the club.

The club is an important part of the local community, they host cricket festivals across the summer for local schools across the district so they can play cricket in a safe environment.

Newark R&M has already invested £200,000 towards new facilities on site from other sources and are continuing to raise money for the extra funding needed.

“We are delighted to be able to support such a vibrant sports club within the district,” explains Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council.

“Clubs like this one are helping to develop a love of cricket amongst the children of the district, as well as having senior teams enjoying their own success. Like so many residents in the district, the club was badly affected by the recent floods. This funding will help them to protect themselves against future flooding events as well as giving improved facilities for the 11 teams currently using them.

“Sport is a fantastic gift for our young people which can last a lifetime. Supporting clubs like this one is fundamental to the health, wellbeing and community spirit for residents in the district.”

Luc Chignall, from the Newark R&M Cricket Club, continues, “This generous award helps us to move within touching distance of our £450,000 target. There is still work to do, but we remain determined to protect our club moving forwards for future generations to continue to enjoy this great game. We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us to achieve so much over the last few years.”

To date, several community groups and local organisations have been awarded funding following applications to Newark and Sherwood District Council for UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF). This fund supports a variety of projects and initiatives across three themes of communities and place, people and skills and supporting local businesses