ECB Announces Sport England Grass Roots Link-Up

ECB Announces Sport England Grass Roots Link-Up

©Action Images / Scott Heavey Livepic

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed a four-year deal with Sport England which will see £37.8 million be pumped into the development of grass roots cricket.

The sum covers both capital and expenditure revenue plans from 2009 until 2013 and will be invested in projects to increase participation, and maintain involvement in the game in England and Wales.

The money will also be used to increase development of women's, girl's and disabled cricket.

David Collier, ECB Chief Executive said: “This agreement is fantastic news for cricket and will enable us to continue our work to increase opportunities for people to take part in our sport. The ECB has been awarded the largest grant of any National Governing  Body which demonstrates the confidence that Sport England has in our ability to deliver grassroots programmes.

“I would like to thank everyone in cricket, from the thousands who volunteer at local clubs through to our development team, who have helped to helped us to build partnerships in community cricket. 

“Sport England will also be bringing forward further lottery funding opportunities based on potential priority policy themes such as increasing participation by women and girls, improving school-club links and building sustainable community sports clubs. Cricket has a major contribution to make in this area and we will be working with Sport England to secure further funding for projects that not only increase participation in cricket but address wider policy objectives such as improving health and building social inclusion”.

“I can also announce that the ECB has determined that a significant portion of the Whole Sport Plan funding will be directed toward the Cricket Foundation’s Chance to Shine initiative. This award, alongside agreement we have reached with Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe about future funding arrangements, mean that Chance to Shine’s £20m four-year investment programme funded jointly by the private and public sector can move ahead.”

Wasim Khan, newly appointed Chief Executive of the Cricket Foundation commented: “We’re delighted that the Government continues to acknowledge the positive effect Chance to Shine is having on communities nationwide. This year over 300,000 young people at primary and secondary schools across the country will benefit from our programme, which uses cricket to teach children key life skills.”

Sport England’s Chief Executive Jennie Price added: “Sport England has worked hard to ensure that our half a billion pound investment in grassroots sport delivers value for money, and most importantly, results. We believe that our partnership approach will build the firm foundations of a world-leading community sport system”.

© Cricket World 2009

Get the latest from Cricket World® with Facebook, twitter and YouTube.