Grants help cricket club to grow the game

Cricket club members at Silverdale have been congratulated by Newcastle’s Labour MP Paul Farrelly after securing two grants that will enable them to expand grassroots sporting facilities in the area.

Mr Farrelly, who supported both funding applications, welcomed the announcement that the club had won £25,129 from the Barclays Spaces for Sport programme on top of £50,000 in Olympic legacy funding from Sport England.

The investment has enabled the club to complete the installation of floodlights at the club’s home ground in Underwood Road and will benefit young cricketers and footballers alike.

The floodlights will allow outdoor practice sessions in the nets throughout the cricket season and then over the winter months junior football teams will use the ground as a training venue.

Dilapidated buildings have also been replaced with new facilities, including female changing rooms, toilets and storage space as part of a long-standing campaign by the club to expand sporting opportunities for youngsters.

The Barclays grant is the second one to be secured by the Silverdale club. In 2007 Barclays awarded the club £70,000 to fund the costs of an artificial pitch, a net practice area and other ground improvements.

Mr Farrelly, a member of the Commons’ Culture, Media and Sports Committee, said: “Along with Sport England, Barclays Spaces for Sports has been a great friend of the club over the years and has helped to transform the playing facilities there.

“I’m particularly pleased that these grants are focused on encouraging wide community participation as well as nurturing future sporting talent,” he added.

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