Working in partnership to grow cricket in Carmarthen

Working in partnership to grow cricket in Carmarthen

Through the ECB County Grants Fund, Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club has helped create new opportunities for cricket through the installation of a new non-turf pitch at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, strengthening the relationship between the club and school while providing an additional facility for players of all ages.

The project replaces an existing non-turf pitch at the school, which had deteriorated and was no longer in good condition. The new facility provides a high-quality playing surface that can be used by both the school and Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club.

The pitch addresses an important need for both organisations. For the club, the additional playing surface creates much-needed capacity away from its main ground, supporting its women’s, girls’, mixed junior and senior Third teams, while contributing to the club’s long-term development and sustainability. For the school, it provides a dedicated facility to host home cricket fixtures and training sessions, where previously it had made use of the club’s main ground.

A key benefit for the club is that the new pitch will help build on the growth of its thriving women’s and girls’ section, which already caters for players from under-8s through to under-16s and seniors. In turn, this will create more opportunities for players to train and play games at a home venue. The pitch not only provides more opportunities for women and girls to play but also contributes to a stronger pathway for them to become involved and remain involved in the game.

Having a brand-new, high-quality pitch will also provide a consistent playing surface throughout games, with reliable bounce and playing conditions. This will support player development by allowing players to practise and develop key skills in a consistent environment, build confidence and better understand how the ball will react off the surface. For younger and developing players, having regular access to a quality pitch will provide valuable opportunities to put their skills into practice during both training and competitive games.

The new facility also provides greater flexibility for the club to accommodate existing levels of participation and create opportunities to further grow its membership, with the cost savings able to be reinvested into the club. With the additional playing surface available, the club can now host two teams at home at the same time, which it anticipates will be required two to three times per week from the 2027 season.

The project also builds on the long-standing relationship between the club and the school. Approximately 50% of the club’s junior section has historically come from the school, making the partnership an important part of the club’s pathway for developing young players.

The school has welcomed the project and the support provided by the club, including helping to mark the pitch and maintain the outfield. The investment therefore provides benefits beyond the pitch itself, strengthening the partnership between the two organisations and creating a shared facility that can support cricket in the local community.

When asked what advice he would give to other clubs looking to develop a similar partnership with their local school, Nigel Roberts, Chair of Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club, said:

“Maintaining a close relationship with the school throughout the due diligence period in relation to the completion of any grant applications and especially in the preparation of the Licence with the Local Authority is key.”

The club was fortunate to have a practising solicitor on its committee who undertook the legal work on a voluntary basis, providing valuable support throughout the process.

The pitch was installed during the 2026 season, allowing both the school and club to use the facility during the season. Feedback from those who have used the pitch has been excellent, with players particularly enjoying having a local facility that provides consistent playing conditions.

Following the close of the season, the pitch achieved a score of 41/50 in the South Wales Cricket Association Ground Assessment, demonstrating the quality of the new facility. The club is currently finalising plans to further extend its facilities at the ground, building on this investment and continuing to create opportunities for cricket to develop.

This project is a great example of how building relationships can support the development and long-term sustainability of clubs. It also demonstrates the value of the ECB County Grants Fund in supporting partnerships between schools and clubs, creating sustainable facilities, increasing playing opportunities and supporting the development of cricket within the local community.