How’s that for funding?

Erdington Cricket Club has received a grant for £2000 to help fund free community cricket for young people in the local area from IM Properties’ Peddimore Community Fund.

Located at Spring Lane sports ground, the cricket club aims to get under 18’s off the street and onto the pitch to positively impact their lives.

The grant is from IM Properties’ Peddimore Community Fund, established nearly three years ago to help bring economic and social valueto the communities surrounding its Minworth scheme.

Erdington Cricket Club, which is run by a committee of volunteers who act as groundsman, coaches and co-ordinators, regularly attracts 50 young people to its free, weekly sessions.

Sue Bushell, one of the club’s founders, a former community beat officer, working for 30 years with West Midlands Police said:

“We know the difference it makes keeping young people active and engaged and we feel really proud to be inspiring this group of seven- to 17-year-olds to play cricket.”

“There’s a lot of hidden talent out there and like so many community clubs the benefits are far reaching and go way beyond learning a new sport.

“For example, we had a foster parent bring two Afghan refugees to the club who were struggling with English and were unhappy and feeling isolated.

“Very soon, the international love of cricket broke down barriers and put a smile on their faces, enabling them to make friends and learn to play to such a standard, they are now doing county cricket trials.

Sue adds: “To us, if all the club achieves is to inspire those two boys, we’d be happy, however we know the impact is far greater attracting multiple generations of cricket fans.

“It’s not a drop and go club, the young people and their families come along to play, watch and socialise with other parents, making new connections within the community.

“One day we hope we may get our own cricket pavilion and facilities so we can put away our picnic blankets and warm coats and extend the range of support we can give, helping disabled children play too”

Kerry Amory, social value manager for IM Properties added: “Once again we are seeing the huge social impact of the passion of a few individuals within community.

“The team captain and groundman, David Owen, has spent hours learning to be a groundsman and how to look after the pitches so they are ready for play. His wife, Ann Marie is also a director and treasurer.

“We were delighted to see their hard work contribution being recognised by Warwickshire County Cricket Club, with an Inspired to Play award for their contribution to community cricket.

“We hope that the funding helps them keep their club going and get more young people involved in the sport.”

Further information on the grants available are at https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/peddimore-community-fund.