Inspired to Play Grant

Aims to increase the number of boys and girls aged under 18 years participating in the game.

What is the Inspired to Play Grant?

The Inspired to Play Grant Scheme 2022 aims to increase the number of children (boys and girls aged under 18 years) participating in the game by supporting the delivery of recreational cricket activity for these groups during the months of June – September 2022.

The scheme is open to ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales. The grant is £1,000 per club and is designed to help your Club open up for new and current players this summer.

Inspired to Play (LOGO)
Cricket Players (SVG)

What the Grant must be used for

The types of recreational cricket activity that will be considered under the Scheme are as follows:

  • Activity that drives new or existing girls’ sections.
  • Official All Stars Cricket or Dynamos Cricket programmes.
  • Summer School programmes, such as cricket camps for children.
  • Activity that drives inclusion based initiatives.
  • Other recreational cricket activity delivered to children.

Eligible Costs

Whilst this is not an exhaustive list, applications for a Grant towards costs that directly support the delivery of recreational cricket activity for children, will be
considered, as follows:

  • Facility or venue hire.
  • Staff Costs (qualified coaches).
  • Staff Costs (volunteer expenses).
  • Admin and project marketing costs (Limit of £100).
  • Playing Equipment – Kwik Cricket, softball, hard ball directly related to the activity.
  • Coaching Equipment – Cones, bibs, bean bags, Windballs etc, directly related to the activity.
  • T-Shirts for participants (Limit of £200, excludes Official All Stars & Dynamos).
  • Trophies, Medals for an end of event presentation to participants directly related to the activity (Limit of £150).
  • Catering – e.g. snacks, soft drinks or food for an end of event BBQ for participants and volunteers directly related to the activity (Limit of £200, excludes alcohol).

Ineligible costs

  • Funding of facilities projects (capital expenditure) e.g. purchase of a Non-Turf Match Pitch, large items of grounds equipment such as covers, sightscreens, mobile net cages or grounds machinery such as mowers, rollers etc.
  • Purchase of other non-essential goods e.g. bowling machines, AV equipment etc.
  • Projects that are already funded by ECB, EWCT (e.g. Disability Cricket Champion Clubs) or any other third-party funding source (e.g. charities).
  • Any other expenditure that England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) deems inappropriate.
ECB Inspired to Play Grant

How to apply

  • Please check your eligibility and requirements by reading the guidance notes
  • Register your Club on / log in if already registered to the ECB’s Investment Management System and select “Inspired to Play” from the list of funding programmes
  • Complete the application form and sign and return the contract offer letter to release funding
  • Closing date for applications Tuesday 31st May 2022 (or when the funds run out, whichever is earlier)
Harry Watts

Harry Watts / Urban Development Officer

Harry joined the Foundation in August 2022 as our Urban Development Officer and is responsible for growing the game of cricket in Gloucestershire, focusing on the urban areas of Bristol and Gloucester.

​One of his main areas of work is managing our Chance to Shine Street programme, which provides free cricket sessions for young people across Bristol, Gloucester and Cheltenham. The sessions are fun, engaging and support the development of all young people, from cricket newcomers right through to young adults playing a high standard of recreational cricket. Harry also manages our Walking Cricket programme, which provides inclusive indoor softball cricket for over 50’s across the county, including in Bristol and Cheltenham. Outside of community programmes, Harry supports urban clubs in Bristol and supports with the management of GYCL competitions.

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!

As a local Bristolian, Harry is a Bristol Rovers supporter and is a big all-round sports fan.