County Grant Fund
Improving facilities and the environmental sustainability of cricket clubs.What is the County Grant Fund?
The ECB County Grants Fund aims to support affiliated cricket clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and to help clubs tackle the impact of climate change.
The scheme is open to all ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales. Clubs can apply for between £1,000 (minimum) and £10,000 (maximum) per application.
What type of projects are eligible in each theme?
1. Creating welcoming environments
Open to ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs registered for All Stars or Dynamos in 2025, and/or actively involved with competitive female cricket (defined as at least one female team with a minimum of three competitive female fixtures in the 2025 season) and/or Disability Cricket (defined as being a registered Disability Champion Cricket Club in 2025 or a registered host for the Disability Premier League).
It is an expectation that any junior programme will include and actively engage with girls.
- Social Space – furniture / decoration / flooring / patio / decking / heating / glazing
- Toilet Facilities – sanitary ware / tiling / flooring / baby-changing facilities
- Catering – kitchen units / appliances / professional catering equipment / barbecue
- Arrival and Access – lighting / signage / car park / disabled access
- Digitising – WiFi / Broadband hardware (excludes subscription fees) / TVs / PA or Music systems / Electronic Point of Sale equipment / Electronic Scoreboards (only if part of a wider digitisation project)
2. Enhanced facilities and playing opportunities for women’s and girls’ cricket and / or disability cricket
Open to ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs actively engaged in competitive female only cricket and/or disability cricket.
Enhanced Practice Facilities:
- Non-Turf Match Pitch (must be an ECB Approved System)
- Non-Turf Practice Facility (must be an ECB Approved System)
Enhanced Changing Facilities:
- Create individual shower spaces with drying areas
- Improved toilet provision – sanitary ware / tiling / flooring
- Decoration / mirrors / hand dryers / grooming points
- Personal possession lockers
3. Tackling climate change
Open to any affiliated cricket clubs.
- Flood Resilience – building protection / targeted drainage* / ditch or culvert clearance
- Drought Resilience – rainwater harvesting / bore holes / irrigation**
- Energy Saving – Insulation / LED lighting / Solar PV / Solar Thermal / energy-efficient heating systems / double or triple glazing
- Water Management – Water-saving sanitaryware / greywater recycling / efficient appliances
- Electric mower or roller ***
*Any drainage scheme other than small, specific projects will require a full feasibility study and the support of a fine-turf consultant. Large scale drainage schemes are unlikely to be suitable for this scheme.
**Irrigation schemes will not be considered if using mains water.
***Maximum grant of 25% of costs only. See section 5.3 of the guidance notes.
Case studies of completed projects in Gloucestershire
Funded projects in 2024
How to apply
The ECB County Grant Fund is currently open, and we encourage clubs to follow the steps below.
- Clubs should consult their membership to identify a project that fits within one of the three themes
- Clubs to make contact with Harry Watts to arrange a meeting with the Foundation at your club to discuss and walk us through your project
- From February 2025 – Submit your application on the ECB’s Investment Management System (IMS)
- Initial expression of interest deadline – Sunday 9th March
Harry Watts / Club Development Manager
Harry joined the team in August 2022 as our Urban Development Officer and was initially responsible for growing the game of cricket in the urban areas of Bristol and Gloucester. In April 2024, Harry was promoted to Club Development Manager where he now delivers on a number of ECB priority areas including Facility Development, Clubmark, as well as working with Local Authorities on their Playing Pitch Strategies.
In 2018, Harry graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Media & Communications and later gained a PGCE in Primary Education from UWE, having spent multiple years working in primary schools. At his local club, Thornbury CC, Harry supports in different areas, including being an emergency player when required!
Now in his exciting role as Club Development Manager, he is responsible for leading the team of club development staff and working closely with cricket clubs across the county to provide direct support with the aim of creating sustainable clubs for the future. Furthermore, Harry leads youth competitions and the ECB Clubmark Accreditation and sits on a number of GCF Development Groups and Committees.
As a local Bristolian, Harry is a Bristol Rovers supporter and is a big all-round sports fan.