Local real estate developer grants £25k to Durham Cricket for future nursery project

Durham Cricket’s plans to build new nursery facilities alongside its Emirates Riverside ground have taken a step forward with a five-figure grant.

The club is building the new playing area on land behind the County Durham stand, with a view to maximising participation opportunities for local people, and providing practice facilities for its male and female junior age-group teams.

The Durham Cricket Foundation, Durham Cricket’s charitable arm, has now won a £25k grant from The Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund to deliver the next two stages of the project, costing around £200k to complete.

Equipment specifically for use at the nursery ground, including a mower, cutter, roller and covers, is being funded by the grant, as well as a water supply.

Josie Pointon, manager at the Durham Cricket Foundation, said: “Our aim is to provide as many participation opportunities for as many different parts of the local community as possible.

“The new nursery ground will have a transformative effect on the work that we can do. Having a dedicated water supply in place is an essential part of preparing the ground, while giving our grounds staff the equipment to get everything ready without delay.”

The nursery ground facility, which is on track to be ready for use by April next year, will be the first of its kind in the North East and will be available for use by people from all areas of County Durham.

The Banks Group is already said to be a supporter of both professional and amateur cricket around its home region, sponsoring Durham Cricket’s Royal London One Day Cup team, Durham Cricket’s youth development squads, seven cup competitions run across the region by the North East Premier League and Northumberland County Cricket Club.

Mark Dowdall, The Banks Group’s environment and community director, added: “Durham Cricket’s vision for maximising community participation and encouraging excellence right across the county is one that we’re very proud to be supporting.

“The nursery ground is the latest chapter in the development of world class cricketing facilities in our home county and we’re very much looking forward to seeing it in use next season.”