Brand-new, high-quality outdoor cricket nets are now available at West Park in West Bridgford, thanks to a joint project from Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC), Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and IG Group.
The partners are delighted to welcome the new community facility, which will be available for hire soon. It is designed for all age groups and abilities, up to and including professionals.
The collaborative project was born out of demand identified in RBC’s Playing Pitch Strategy. Leader of the Council, Cllr Neil Clarke, joined professionals and community development officers from the Cricket Club, and children from West Bridgford Legion Cricket Club to try out the new facilities.
The strategy identifies a shortfall of cricket provision in the Borough, and this project supports the goal to improve the cricketing landscape locally.
It’s also part of the Council’s wider aims to develop facilities and provide additional opportunities for grassroots cricket, including a focus on encouraging more women and girls to participate in the game.
The works will complement the refurbishment of the Sir Julien Cahn Pavilion at the site in the coming months.
Cllr Clarke said: “This is a fantastic new facility and another example of the huge level of investment RBC, with the fantastic support from NCCC, the ECB and IG, continues to bring into local sporting facilities in the Borough. It further establishes Rushcliffe as the home of sport in Nottinghamshire.
“West Park is our only dedicated cricket facility, and this investment helps secure the long-term sustainability of the site for cricket, encouraging generations of existing and new cricketers to hone their skills.
“It’s vital we invest in sports facilities in this way and maintain excellent services wherever we can, so residents can benefit for years to come.”
Mandy Wright, Head of Community and Development at Nottinghamshire CCC, said:
“We’re passionate about demonstrating that cricket can be a game for people of all ages and abilities – but to do so, we need facilities of the required standard to be available to as many people as possible.
“Whether they go on to pursue professional careers or just play for the love of the game, it’s vital that there are as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved with our game at grassroots level.
“These new nets will be invaluable in that regard, and we’re hugely thankful for the support of Rushcliffe Borough Council, the ECB and IG in bringing these facilities to fruition.”
Dan Musson, Head of Facilities Planning at the ECB, said: “We are delighted to see these new facilities open in West Bridgford, addressing the huge demand for cricket in Nottingham.
“Local authorities are under increasing financial pressure on a number of fronts, making collaborations and partnerships vital for developing sports facilities.
“Working with an engaged commercial partner in IG, a progressive local authority in Rushcliffe Borough Council, and a community-focused club in Nottinghamshire CCC, has enabled us to develop an elite-quality practice facility that will be accessible to young people from across the city.
“The new facilities will benefit a range of local organisations but will particularly help talented girls transition to hardball cricket, alongside junior club players and the ACE programme, ensuring the next generation of players has the opportunity to develop through cricket.”
The new facilities at West Park form part of IG and the ECB’s wider ‘Net Gains’ campaign – a commitment to invest in new public cricket net facilities across the country, giving local communities access to invaluable practice facilities that are integral to their development.
Supporting local councils and communities, IG’s Net Gains initiative is a vehicle for investing in the future of English and Welsh cricket, targeting increased levels of ambition, ability and attainment amongst under-represented communities, and aiming to generate long-term returns for the game and the people who play it.
• West Bridgford Central Avenue improvements start this week
