An expanding cricket club is on a fundraising mission not only to secure a “game-changing investment in its players” but also to sustain its future and strengthen the club’s role as a community sports hub.
Holmes Chapel Cricket Club needs to secure funding of more than £41,000 to improve training provision by building two-lane enclosed cricket nets and a dedicated practice area.
When the existing open nets are being used, players cannot currently safely train on the field at Holmes Chapel’s Victoria Club, where in just four years the number of teams has grown from just two men’s to 12 teams, which now include juniors, women, and girls.
The club has sought £10,000 in funding from the English Cricket Board while Sport England will provide match funding The club has set up a crowdfunding page for the first time, where almost £19,000 has already been pledged, surpassing the £17,200 target.
Holmes Chapel Parish Council has agreed to award a grant of £200, the club having stated on its application form “we would be grateful for any amount towards our target”.
The club said on its crowdfunding page: “We have already made great progress and have secured a grant from the ECB, but we need your support to complete this next phase of fundraising to bring us closer to the finish line!”
The club said that replacing the open nets with the enclosed design will “transform” its facilities, letting more teams train at once without compromising safety, “significantly increasing” the club’s capacity.
It added: “This project is vital to support our growth and provide safe, inclusive training facilities.”
The upgrade will improve access, training quality and flexibility, and will particularly support the participation and retention of women and girls, which is a key area of focus for the club.
“This is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it’s a key step in sustaining our club’s future and strengthening our role as a community sports hub,” the club added.
“This isn’t just a net, it’s a game-changing investment in our players, from the youngest juniors just starting out to the seasoned club veterans chasing their personal best.”
The funds raised will cover everything from high-quality synthetic surfaces and secure netting, to safe, durable structures designed to withstand years of use.
The club said that as a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation, its mission “goes beyond cricket” and that it promotes “community wellbeing, inclusion, and personal development.”
The club also supports youth development through coaching qualifications and initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Holmes Chapel Cricket Club is celebrating its centenary in 2025 and for the first time this season entered the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League and Cheshire Girls’ Cricket League, which it said marked an “exciting new chapter” in its history.
Along with women’s team there are four men’s teams and two mixed teams while, the club also has 11 junior teams.
To donate to the club’s fundraising campaign visit crowdfunder.co.uk and search for “new cricket nets for Holmes Chapel CC”.
(Photos: HCCC/Crowdfunding).
