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 affiliated cricket clubs registered for All Stars or Dynamos in 2021, or actively involved with women’s and girls’ cricket and / or disability cricket.
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 affiliated cricket clubs actively engaged in competitive female only 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.
Case studies of completed projects in Gloucestershire
Funded projects in 2023
How to apply
The ECB County Grant Fund is currently closed, but we encourage clubs to follow steps one and two as early as possible in preparation for the fund reopening in February 2024 (step 3).
- Clubs should consult their membership to identify a project that fits within one of the three themes
- Clubs to make contact Steve Silk and Scott Tremain to arrange a meeting with the Foundation at your club to discuss and walk us through your project
- From February 2024 – Submit your application on the ECB’s Investment Management System (IMS)
Scott Tremain / Club Development Manager
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, Scott leads youth competitions and the ECB Clubmark Accreditation and sits on a number of GCF Development Groups and Committees.
Scott is a big Plymouth Argyle FC fan and plays his cricket at Dumbleton.
