A rural cricket club had been given a cash boost to help with the development of its club.
Thanks to £5000 from Hambleton District Council’s Small Grant Scheme, Alne Cricket Club has been able to invest in a brand new mower.
“Access to sporting opportunities in Alne very limited,” said Tracey Stevens, Junior Membership Secretary.
“Our club offers an important facility for our young people locally to take part in sport and be a part of a team. Many cricket clubs across the country are struggling with senior and junior membership numbers and some are even losing teams due to this.
“At Alne we have worked hard to promote cricket to juniors locally and as a result we have over 100 junior members now registered of which around 30 are girls.
“With this success comes a great deal of pressure on our facilities to ensure everyone and every team, senior, junior, girls or women is catered for.
“It is very difficult to obtain grant funding for this type of equipment and yet it has already made a huge difference to our groundsman in terms of time and efficiency in keeping our teams playing. This investment really is fantastic and we are very grateful to Hambleton.”
The club is also trying to source funding for essential coaching equipment.