Sussex Cricket Foundation help affiliated clubs obtain over £350k in support funds

During Covid-19, the Sussex Cricket Foundation have been reaching out to all 182 affiliated clubs across the county to offer them support during this unprecedented time.

Foundation staff, assisted by Jon Filby (Sussex Cricket Foundation Chair), Gary Stanley (1st Central Sussex Cricket League Chair) and Daniel Oliver (Sussex Cricket Vice-Chair), have been contacting clubs to discuss their current situation, challenges faced, financial implications and offer any support and advice they may need. 

With the help of that advice, clubs across the county have been taking advantage of various funding streams currently available, such as Government Grants to assist with clubs paying business rates, Sport England Grants to assist with general running costs and the ECB Emergency Loan and Return to Cricket Scheme, which also aims to assist with general running costs.

Sussex Cricket Foundation's Head of Community Cricket, Chris Coleman said: “With the cricket season situation looking uncertain, we made it a key priority to support our clubs to get through this difficult period.

"Seeing so many clubs get help to secure their future through a range of funding sources has been particularly pleasing and sets up clubs to start back playing cricket as soon as we are allowed."

To date, over £350,000 has so far been awarded to clubs in Sussex to help see them through this challenging time and to help protect our network in the long term. 29 clubs have benefited from Government funding whilst 26 have benefitted from Sport England funding.

The Sussex Cricket Foundation have also launched virtual club webinars to keep clubs fully updated on developments during this period.

The webinars provide key updates from Sussex Cricket, the ECB and the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League, with clubs also having the opportunity  ask any questions they have.

The webinars, which have proved to be extremely popular amongst clubs, have already benefited many - and in particular, St Andrews Cricket Club in Burgess Hill.

The club's Treasurer, Richard Prokopowicz said: "I only applied using the link on the MSDC website after listening to the Wednesday webinar. 24 hours later, the grant has been approved and was being paid. I've never experienced a government agency do anything that fast."

The next Sussex Cricket Foundation webinar is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 3rd June from 7.30pm, with details being sent directly to all affiliated clubs. If a club require any support, or have any questions, then please feel free to contact Gary Wallis-Tayler at: gary.wallis-tayler@sussexcricket.co.uk