By Bruce Talbot, ECB Reporters Network
With Ashes fever having gripped the nation this summer the interest in cricket has been noticeable at a time the game is enjoying consistent growth, particularly in women’s cricket.
Counties across the country have set up opportunities for more people to engage in cricket, with the Sussex Cricket Foundation’s Crawley Urban Plan a prime example of how the game is opening its doors to welcome more people.
When the project was launched two years ago there was not a single recognised female team in Crawley, but two years on there are three age-group sides, two softball teams and a social set-up for women.
A Street Cricket club is also run from the new indoor centre while 500 people in the Afghan community now have access to kit bags enabling them to play cricket in green spaces around the town.
Earlier this month a brand-new three-lane indoor facility was also opened, and three new women’s and girls’ teams introduced, as the opening two phases of the plan were completed ahead of schedule, including seven non-turf pitches installed.
Significant strides have also been made to engage with the local community and building a sustainable relationship with Crawley Borough Council has been crucial.
On the two-year anniversary of the plan, Sussex Cricket Foundation Chair, Ish Jalal, said: “The opening of our indoor cricket nets at Apple Tree Centre in West Green is a significate milestone in our overall Crawley Urban Cricket Plan
“Providing quality cricket facilities all year round for the local community is essential to the success of our project.”
By next year around £200,000 will have been invested in the plan and there is more improvements planned including five more non-turf nets as well as new outdoor nets and the refurbishment of others at various sites throughout Crawley.
“Phases 3 and 4 of the plan which will further provide more opportunities for local cricketers and the local community to participate and enjoy our great game,” added Jalal.
It has meant people can play cricket all year round while ensuring teams have returned to Crawley and reinvigorate the game.
Reaching out to more communities has been a key element with a number of Afghan families having been invited as guests of Sussex to watch LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality Blast games at Hove this season.
Matt Parsons, Sussex Cricket Foundation’s Territory Manager for the area, said: “The Urban Plan set out to support the passionate cricket community across Crawley, whilst ensuring we continued to grow and sustain the increased demand that we have for the game, across all levels.
“Crawley is an exciting and vibrant place to play cricket and the Urban Plan has put the community at the heart of everything we hope to achieve.”
Sussex Chair Jon Filby is delighted with the work the Foundation are doing in an area of the county with a passionate cricket community.
“One of the big achievements of the plan has been bringing Crawley-based teams back into the town who play in the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League,” he said.
“That has helped create a real sense of community among cricketers and they now have much improved facilities, both indoors and outdoors, to enjoy their cricket.
“It’s work that is ongoing and I expect it won’t be too long before a player nurtured in the facilities we have helped to provide in Crawley is playing for the Sussex first team.”
The Crawley Urban Plan has received financial support from the Sussex Cricket Foundation, ECB, Cama Cricket Charitable Trust, Roffey Homes, Active Sussex and London Cricket Trust.