Horncastle Cricket Club nets ECB Support
Horncastle Cricket Club has new practice facilities after receiving England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Grant Aid and Lottery funding. Horncastle Cricket Club used this funding to secure the services of the world's leading supplier of synthetic cricket surfacing systems, Notts Sport.
The twin-lane facility comprises two Notts Sport Envelope System batting ends and two bowling ends, and imitates the best characteristics of a well-maintained grass pitch. Enclosed by a 60ft cage and surrounded by a durable VHAF NottsSward synthetic turf footprint, the club is looking forward to more practice and less maintenance.
Club Development Officer, Tim Hannam, explains: "We have a rolling five-year development plan as part of our ECB Clubmark accreditation, and this identified the need for better practice facilities as one aspect of our ongoing improvements programme.
"Alongside this, we introduced junior cricket at the club about five years ago, and now have three junior teams, for U11s, U13s and U15s, and an Academy team, with total youth numbers up to about 70.
"The new facilities will mean more of our juniors can practice at the club at the same time, and our three senior teams, which are in the Lincolnshire Premier League and the Boston and East Lindsey League, will benefit from more structured training sessions. We can also open the facility to local schools and to district and county cricket.
"Horncastle Cricket Club is keen to provide the best practice and playing facilities in the area and to put itself on the cricketing map in Lincolnshire. This facility brings us closer to this goal."
The ECB is the main sponsor of the project. Horncastle CC selected Notts Sport to manage its design and implementation, with the installation carried out by official Notts Sport Cricket licensee Bingham Ground Services. The Big Lottery Fund also contributed towards the cost.
Notts Sport, which celebrates 25 years in the synthetic sports and play surfacing industry this month [April], is the world's leading supplier of non-turf cricket pitch systems for coaching, practice and matchplay.
The company offers two ECB-approved artificial pitches - the NottsBase D System and Envelope System, which can be designed and installed as matchplay or practice facilities - plus a bespoke service and portable training mats.
Working closely with its clients, which include schools, clubs, local authorities, and national and regional sports bodies, Notts Sport is committed to providing effective and innovative solutions and the highest standards of customer care.