Knypersley Cricket Club nets £50k Olympic legacy
WORK is under way to improve sports facilities at a cricket club thanks to a £50,000 lottery boost.
The cash will be used to demolish unused tennis courts and create new cricket practice nets and a sports court.
The work at Knypersley Cricket Club, right, is being funded by Sport England, which has given £49,965 to the Victoria Colliery and Knypersley Welfare Trust.
Peter Ball, who is a member of the trust's cricket section, said the funding boost was great news for the community and young people wanting to get into sport.
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Mr Ball, aged 54, who lives in Leek, said: "The tennis courts were in a terrible condition and pretty non-existent really.
"The money is being used in two parts, firstly to create a four-lane batting and bowling practice facility and secondly to build a multi-purpose sports area.
"It's going to be a great asset to the area and the community and we hope it will encourage more people to get involved with sport in years to come."
The Tunstall Road club currently has 12 cricket teams starting at under-nines level.
The grant has come from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund, as part of the £135 million Places People Play to help celebrate the legacy of this summer's London Olympic Games.
Every sports facility which receives funding will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark – celebrating the link to the Games.
Club officials hope the work will be finished in time for the start of the cricket season on Saturday, April 14.
The trust is one of 350 local community sports groups which have benefited nationwide.
Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley, pictured below, said: "I am very proud that Victoria Colliery and Knypersley Welfare Trust was deemed to be worthy of an award from Sport England.
"I met the team from Sport England in the House of Commons earlier this week and they explained how difficult it was for a local sports facility to qualify for any funding, so to see the trust be awarded £49,965 to allow it to upgrade and develop its facilities is a real achievement.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the finished facilities and them being enjoyed by club users."
Meanwhile, Leek Cricket Club has received £44,995 from the same fund.
The cash will be used to create four new cricket practice nets at the club's Highfield ground, off Macclesfield Road.
Club official Richard Ogden said: "We are delighted to secure the funding.
"It will enable us to upgrade the quality of our practice facilities to match the standards established and maintained by our coaches."
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