Facilities Friday: ECB Funding Makes a Difference at Penarth

Following a devastating fire in December, Penarth Cricket Club have been working hard to ensure its facilities continue to support players, families, volunteers and visitors while the rebuilding takes place and that they continue to be a thriving hub in the community where families can come together, play cricket and enjoy everything that is offered.

Thanks to the ECB County Grants Funding, the club were able to make significant improvements to their social space areas ahead of the new season, including installing new indoor furniture and sustainable outdoor furniture. These enhancements have helped create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who uses the club.

Penarth Cricket Club is the biggest All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket hub in the UK, with 151 and 138 signups for the respective programmes and that is a key reason why investment in the club is so important. The club plays a vital role in introducing hundreds of children to cricket each year and creating positive first experiences in the game. Friday nights at the club are supported by a dedicated team of 45–55 volunteers (parents, guardians, players) who facilitate activities and provide refreshments for everyone attending. These evenings help the club to generate valuable income through the BBQ and bar, offering a range of food and refreshments to cater to all visitors, with all proceeds reinvested back into the facility. On occasion, local food vendors are invited to attend, further demonstrating the club’s commitment to supporting the local community while also attracting new people to the club and creating a welcoming, inclusive and sociable atmosphere.

Beyond delivering exceptional National Programmes for the youngest of cricketers, the club are committed to providing opportunities for all ages and abilities, including a growing Women & Girls cricket programme with teams at all levels including U8-U12 Softball, U12-U16 Hardball, Women’s Softball and Women’s Hardball. Opportunities continue to present themselves for all their participants within their 5 open senior teams which has lots of representation from their junior teams. The club’s commitment to providing such opportunities and experiences makes it a cornerstone of cricket development in the community.

Gareth Hubback, Penarth Athletic Club Chair said: “This funding has enabled us in the remaining areas following the devastating fire to allow the installation of new indoor furniture, and sustainable outdoor furniture. These improvements will have a lasting impact, helping us provide the best possible experience for young people and their families while supporting the continued growth of cricket within our community, whilst our rebuild is taking place.”

The investment is not only helping the club continue to grow participation at every level of the game but also allowing them to improve their environment and facilities, strengthen community connections and ensuring the club remains a focal point for local sport and social activity. Despite the challenges of rebuilding following the fire, these improvements are enabling the club to continue delivering high-quality experiences, support the growth of cricket among underrepresented groups, and provide opportunities for more people to get involved in the game, whether as players, coaches, officials, volunteers or spectators. Through actively working with Cricket Wales, the club is also positioning itself to be investment-ready for future opportunities that will further strengthen its facilities and long-term sustainability. Penarth Cricket Club truly embodies the spirit of a community club, placing participation, inclusion and community connection at the heart of everything it does.

For further information and support regarding funding and becoming investment ready, please contact your Club Development Partner.

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