Magazine - English cricket gets £30m boost

4 Feb 2008 by Rob Goodes Last edited 4 Feb 2008

You need more than money to inject life into your games old boys lol

How do greenkeepers earn a living!!! ;-)

5 Feb 2008 by vid Last edited 5 Feb 2008

Am I reading this wrong or has the ECB awarded itself 30m pounds, announces that this is for the 'club game' and then tells us at least half will get no further than the counties for furthering their revenues. Surely all of this money should be coming down to the schools, organisations and clubs that are desperate for facilities for them to introduce the game to a larger number of young people and then to offer them a route of excellence to improve the range of players competing at the top of the game.

This should be about getting people playing not watching - its great that there are more people enjoying the game than before but the sport desperately needs people playing at all levels as well.

At the moment there is great emphasis on clubs achieving club mark and focus status with all the coaching/health and safety/access to all and future developement that comes with it, only to find that aspirations fall flat on their face when trying to get funding. Far too often clubs put coaching in place, get the kids enthusiastic and then cant get the facilities for at least another 2 seasons whilst they await funding. WHY ALL THE SECRECY - lets hear exactly where and when its going to be available instead of this vague announcement

8 Feb 2008 by EDDIE G

I agree with all your comments Vid.

9 Feb 2008 by Paul Jackson

I think you'll find the ECB is trying to get more people participating, especially with ground improvement schemes via funding Groundsmans associations. We in Northumberland have had grant funding to the tune of £10K to buy extra renovation equipment to improve standards of squares across the county. This means squares will become of a better standard, encouraging people and children to participate more. If we don't improve cricket square standards, we can't take the game forward. More than often, club members don't see the benefit of new machinery, or improved squares. I have a constant battle with my club members over new kit against top name pro. The ECB should be congratulated in getting this money. Not just first class counties will benefit. Focus clubs, who have taken the time and effort to do the paperwork, set up coaching for juniors in a child friendly enviroment, and producing a development plan, often by volunteer committees will reap the benefits, and take the game forward. It's the old saying, "You won't reap what you don't sow".

9 Feb 2008 by EDDIE G

Hi Paul
I hope Your comments on focus clubs will reap benefits from the ECB. I have my doubts. I will comment later in the year.