The County Grants Fund aims to support ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and to tackle climate change.

Eligibility criteria in respect of the County Grants Fund is as follows….

Creating Welcoming Environments – open to ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs registered for All Stars or Dynamos in 2024, or actively involved with Women’s and Girls’ Cricket and / or Disability Cricket. It is an expectation that any junior programme will include and actively engage with girls.

Providing Enhanced Facilities and Playing Opportunities for Women’s and Girls’ Cricket and / or Disability Cricket – open to ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs actively engaged in competitive female only cricket and/or disability cricket.

Tackling Climate Change – open to any ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs

Further details on eligible projects and the process for applications can be found via the documents below

We would welcome discussions with clubs looking to make applications to the fund. To make us aware of your plans and for support for your projects please contact clubsupport@cambscricket.org.uk in the first instance

Please note that for 2024 a maximum grant of 25% for electric machinery has been introduced to enable the fund to facilitate the demand for this area and to ensure that the impact of grant funding is maximised. It has been identified that the task of replacing carbon-based fuel in grounds management is significant, and the most sustainable way to do this will be by replacing machinery at end-of-life cycle.

Interest Free loans are available alongside the grant scheme to enable clubs to budget for replacement machinery over a term of up to 5 years. Please see below guidance notes and guidance on how to submit an application

EWCT Interest Free Loan Scheme

The England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Interest Free Loan Scheme provides finance to clubs for capital projects to help them build and ensure a sustainable future.

All scheme applicants must demonstrate that funds will be used to benefit the general community and not just a small group.

Who can apply?

• All ECB affiliated cricket clubs
• Other organisations that can evidence achievement/delivery of the EWCT’s charitable aims

ECB Clubmark registration or accreditation is not a requirement when applying.

What projects are eligible?

Buildings:

• Changing room development
• Clubhouse renovation
• Social area development
• Machinery store
• Score box
• Improvement in car parking facilities (for cricket purposes only)
• CCTV/security shutters (specifically to protect cricket buildings)
• Outdoor lighting (for security purposes)
• Energy consumption/saving systems
• Water consumption/saving systems
• Flood defence measures

Equipment purchase:

• Machinery
• Covers
• Sightscreens
• Scoreboard
• Mobile net cages
• Security/protection (perimeter fencing/ball stop netting)

Fine turf:

• Square
• Outfield
• Drainage/irrigation
• Flood defence measures

Want to know more? Have a look at ECB’s technical guidance on fine turf.

Land purchase:

• For cricketing purposes only

Non-turf:

• Non-turf practice facilities
• Match play pitches

Want to know more? Have a look at ECB’s technical guidance and list of ECB approved non-turf pitch systems and suppliers.

How to apply

1. Download and read the EWCT Interest Free Loan Scheme guidance notes (PDF)
2. Can you answer yes to the following questions?

a) Is your club/organisation eligible to apply to the scheme?

b) Is the project you are considering eligible?

1. If yes to both, please visit ims.ecb.co.uk to register and apply

How much can be applied for?

• Cricket clubs with a junior section* – £1,000 – £50,000
• Cricket clubs without a junior section – £1,000 – £20,000
• Other organisations – subject to application

* A cricket club with a junior section is defined as “a cricket club that offers appropriate coaching and competition to cricketers under the age of 18 years”.

How much partnership funding is required?

A minimum of 10% partnership funding is required from the applicant.

About the England and Wales Cricket Trust

The EWCT supports community participation in cricket as a means of promoting and improving health – which is a charitable purpose.

In addition, the EWCT promotes work to improve provision of cricket in schools, clubs and other youth cricket activities. Activities funded by the EWCT must benefit the wider community, not just a small group or elite. This is a primary obligation of an applicant when applying for the funds provided by EWCT.

For more info please visit https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/club-support/club-funding/interest-free-loan-scheme

Sport England- Small Grants Fund

The Sport England Small Grants Programme seeks to develop opportunities for communities to get more people physically active and we’ll support new projects through providing National Lottery funding of between £300 and £15,000.

For more information on the Sports England Small Grants Fund please visit https://www.sportengland.org/funds-and-campaigns/our-funds/small-grants-programme

Crowdfunder

Crowdfunding represents an opportunity for clubs to generate income to support projects they are looking to undertake.

There is up to £10,000 available for cricket clubs and organisations turning to crowdfunding to raise money.

It’s designed for clubs experiencing financial difficulty due to Covid-19 or the emerging energy, cost of living or other local crises.

To date, more than £2 million has been invested into the game with £1 million of extra funding from Sport England.

Match funding aims to help clubs to move forward with priority projects and running costs that they might still be struggling with such as: • facility refurbishments, maintenance and improvements, or adapting a facility to ensure a safe return to play. • running new activity to meet demand, helping a community to recover. • unforeseen events such as fire, theft, vandalism or adverse weather. • changing a facility to lower their energy consumption.

Further details on eligible projects, the benefits of crowdfunding and some successful projects already completed by cricket clubs can be seen on the document below

For support from us on Crowdfunding please email clubsupport@cambscricket.org.uk in the first instance

DOCUMENT- Crowdfunder Comms Pack