Sussex Star Tom Alsop Opens Tilgate Net Facility in Crawley

Sussex Star Tom Alsop Opens Tilgate Net Facility in Crawley

Sussex Cricket’s Tom Alsop joined local dignitaries last week to officially open a state-of-the-art two-lane net facility at Tilgate Cricket Club, marking the culmination of a transformative five-year Urban Plan for cricket in Crawley. 

The event, attended by Crawley Borough Council’s Councillor Chris Mullins, Sussex Cricket Chair Jon Filby, Community Cricket Director Gary Wallis-Tayler and Sussex Cricket Foundation Chair, Ish Jalal, amongst others - celebrated a £250,000 investment across the town to boost grassroots cricket.

The Tilgate facility at Gainsborough Road Playing Fields, delivered in partnership with the London Cricket Trust, England & Wales Cricket Board, and Crawley Borough Council, is the final of four net projects and complements ten new artificial pitches installed across Crawley, alongside the brand new three-lane indoor net facility regularly used at the Apple Tree Centre. Already, over 175 recreational cricketers from Tilgate CC and three other local clubs have used the nets in just two weeks, with the new artificial pitch further enhancing opportunities for growth.

Matt Parsons of Sussex Cricket Foundation hailed the project’s impact, stating; “The facility at Tilgate represents the final big-build project within the Crawley Urban Plan. 

Since it launched, we have improved or built new facilities at over 10 sites across Crawley, investing over £250,000. 

"But more than the money, it’s brought opportunity and improved access to the passionate, growing cricketing community across Crawley, which will only help continue to build the game in such a key area for Sussex.”

Richard Kingsbury of Tilgate CC expressed gratitude, saying; “We are enormously grateful for the support of Sussex Cricket and the huge investment in our club. We are hopeful that the new net facilities will not only lead to new players being attracted to our club but also give greater opportunity for cricket to be played in Crawley.”

Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing, added; “We are delighted to support this new facility in Tilgate, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots sport in Crawley. It is a fantastic facility for the local community, and we hope it will encourage more people to get involved.”

The project underscores Crawley’s growing reputation as a hub for community cricket; ensuring that the sport can thrive for generations to come, with Tilgate Cricket Club and other local clubs, able to grow.

The club is actively welcoming new players of all ages and skill levels, with plans underway to launch a junior section. Weekly training sessions are held every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm at Tilgate Playing Field, Gainsborough Road (RH10 5LF). To find out more, visit their website.

To find out more about the work that the Sussex Cricket Foundation has undertaken through the Urban Plans for both Crawley and Brighton & Hove, view their latest Impact Report and you can view the photos from the event here.