Sussex Cricket Foundation teams up with charity to provide new cricket pitches in Crawley

The Sussex Cricket Foundation has teamed up with the Spen Cama Cricket Charitable Trust to provide funding for six new artificial cricket pitches at a variety of locations in Crawley, including at local cricket clubs, schools and council-run playing fields.

The first pitch has already been installed at Three Bridges Cricket Club and is being used weekly by the club’s junior and women’s teams.

The investment is an important milestone in the Foundation’s ambitious five-year Crawley Urban Cricket Plan.

Matt Parsons, Territory Manager at The Sussex Cricket Foundation, said: “The ongoing delivery of the Crawley Urban Plan continues to gather pace and it's brilliant to see the first wave of investment getting spent on the much need pitches for the town.

“Women & girls’ cricket in particular continues to be a crucial part of the plan and seeing increased participation as a direct result of the support from the Spen Cama Cricket Charitable Trust only helps us deliver on everything we've set out to achieve.

“Not only that, but the way in which we can dovetail the investment with the ongoing support from Active Sussex, ECB, the local clubs and other partners, shows just what can be done when everyone works together to grow and sustain the game."

By providing artificial cricket pitches for local clubs, schools, and community groups, it enables those groups to play even more cricket and reduces the need for specialist grounds-people to maintain the surfaces.

Nick Parker, Junior Cricket Coordinator for Three Bridges Cricket Club said: “It’s fantastic to be able to utilise the new Astro-turf pitch, it has been in place since June and is providing our Junior, Women’s and Girls’ teams with even more opportunities to play cricket.

“We are extremely grateful to the Sussex Cricket Foundation and the Cama Charitable Trust for providing the funds to install the pitch, it is already proving to be a success, and will enable us to continue to give local people the chance to play cricket, all year round.”

Chris Warne, Trustee of the Spen Cama Cricket Charitable Trust, added: "The Trustees of The Spen Cama Cricket Trust believe Spen would have been delighted that they have given financial help towards Phase 1 of the Crawley Urban Plan.

“We are certain this will assist the creation of new opportunities for a thriving, passionate and diverse cricket community."