Urban Plan for Cricket in Greater Brighton & Hove aims to create healthier, stronger communities

Pictured: Extracts from plans for pavilion projects at St Peter’s CC (above) and Rottingdean CC (below) that form part of the Urban Cricket Plan for Greater Brighton

Sussex Cricket, in association with Brighton & Hove City Council and Adur District Council, is delighted to reveal its Urban Plan for Cricket in Greater Brighton.

The five-year plan aims to use cricket to improve people’s lives and create stronger, healthier communities in Greater Brighton, with a commitment to improve the standard of outdoor and indoor facilities across the area.

The plan was devised by a working group led by Sussex Cricket’s Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler, and Chair of the club’s existing Brighton & Hove Area Hub, David Bowden MBE.

In consultation with clubs, community groups and key stakeholders, the group have identified numerous actions required in Greater Brighton between 2021 and 2026 to ensure the plan’s aim is met.

These are organised within five categories:

• inspiring the next generation of cricketers through schools and clubs and the Sussex Cricket player pathway.
• growing and supporting the wider game by increasing participation of players, officials and volunteers, particularly those from minority ethnic communities.
• transforming women’s and girl’s cricket.
• developing grounds and infrastructure at all levels across the region
• developing high-performance cricket teams ranging from Sussex’s professional and age-group teams to the more than 20 teams from Greater Brighton playing in the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League.

The plan will build upon strong foundations such as the fantastic facilities at Blackstone Academy Ground, sponsored by Hurstpierpoint College and the Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy; the world’s largest adult cricket league in the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League; and the work of Sussex Cricket’s Brighton & Hove Cricket Development Group which has been operating for 14 years.

Sussex Cricket’s existing community initiatives, including its Sporting Memories and Walking Cricket programmes and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, will also play an important role in meeting the Plan’s aims of engaging with as wide an audience as possible in Greater Brighton.

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Sussex Cricket’s Community Cricket Director said: ““By creating this five-year Urban Plan for Greater Brighton & Hove, we’re showing our commitment to the growth and development of cricket in a key area of the county.

“The plan will enable us to build stronger relationships with key stakeholders and our communities which will be of benefit to all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds.”

Ian Shurrock, Head of Sport & Leisure at Brighton & Hove City Council said: “The Sussex Cricket Foundation undertake excellent work to increase the inclusivity and diversity of participants in cricket. This plan will enable the Foundation to develop cricket even more to the benefit of the health and wellbeing of all involved from the Greater Brighton & Hove Area.”

The full Urban Plan for Cricket in Greater Brighton 2021-2026 is available to download at the bottom of this page.