Sport England support for local cricket club

Sport England yesterday revealed that more than 1,300 local sports projects across the country have now received National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, part of its Olympic and Paralympic legacy program.

England player Chris Tremlett with members of HBBH CC last year.

Holcombe and Blue Bell Hill Cricket Club will receive £50,000 of National Lottery funding to build a new changing room block adjacent to the current pavilion, and to refurbish the existing building into a larger bar and recreation room. The project will allow the club to offer greatly improved sports facilities to members and to also use the refurbished pavilion for a wider range of non-cricket purposes. Meridian Girls Football Club will use the facility in the winter months and the successful bid was a result of close co-operation between the two clubs.

To celebrate the award, local people are being invited to free taster sessions at one of the regular training sessions for all ages. Please contact Head Coach Dave Hayward on 07866 763592 for details.

Sport England's Chair, Nick Bitel, said: "A year on from the Olympics, this National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in North Kent. With investment now on offer from our Inspired Facilities Fund until 2017, we look forward to supporting many more sports clubs in North Kent who play such a vital role in grassroots sport."

Club Chairman, John Underwood, said: “We are delighted that we now have the funds in place to further develop our facility. This project will allow us to improve the standard of cricket and football we offer in the local community”

Club Facilities Development Officer Colin Dix said “This is a key milestone in the development of our club. Our refurbishment programme is fundamental to our ongoing efforts to grow the club and to strengthen our playing membership for future”.

Local MP, Tracey Crouch, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Club has been awarded this funding to improve facilities. It will make a huge difference to the development of cricket in the area and support girls football during the winter. This is a really positive step forward for local sport”

Colin Dix and John Underwood speaking about their merger.

Holcombe and Blue Bell Hill Cricket Club is one of well over 300 projects across England receiving lottery investment from the fourth round of the Inspired Facilities fund and one of more than 1,300 to benefit overall. Many more communities are now set to benefit from the hugely popular fund, after Sport England today announced that it was extending Inspired Facilities until 2017, with an additional £40 million of National Lottery funding to invest. Bids will be accepted for the next round of Inspired Facilities funding from the 21 October 2013, You can find out more at: www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities