By Charles Randall

22 January 2015


Clubs can now make applications for quick-fix funds of up to £4,000 from the England & Wales Cricket Trust to improve facilities through their county board, the ECB have announced.

The trust's Small Grant Scheme is supported by Waitrose as part of their three-year sponsorship deal. The ECB say the aim is to create a sustainable future for affiliated clubs. The Waitrose donation, alongside backing from Sport England, tops up this fund, allowing a greater number of clubs and local communities to benefit.

In 2014 Waitrose added support to this funding initiative by pledging £100 for every four or six scored across the entire 2014 home international summer, including England, England Women, England Lions and England Under-19s. From the total boundaries scored, for those people who might wonder, Gary Ballance was the England team’s biggest contributor.

The ECB official and former England captain Mike Gatting said that the ECB and Waitrose were “passionate” about creating a sustainable future for cricket clubs and their communities. “The fund can play a part in getting more games on with better rain covers, as well as refurbishing your kitchen or creating a barbecue area to increase club funds,” he said.

Rupert Ellwood, head of marketing at Waitrose, said: “For us, an important part of being a sponsor of England Cricket is encouraging cricket in local communities – and throughout 2014 our shops thoroughly enjoyed supporting local clubs as they held open days. We hope this boundary fund will make a real difference to grassroots cricket up and down the country.”

This is an imaginative effort by Waitrose towards helping recreational cricket, and the grants on offer should make a difference for a large number of clubs.

More information: www.ecb.co.uk/waitrose