A grant of £40,000 was awarded by Newark and Sherwood District Council to help deliver a new £70,000 cricket training facility at Farnsfield Cricket Club, supporting the continued growth of grassroots sport and creating new opportunities for local people to get active.
Completed in June 2026, the project has seen the installation of brand-new cricket practice nets, including two fully enclosed 33-metre practice bays and one 27-metre open training bay. The new facility will significantly increase the club’s training capacity and support player development across its junior, senior, women’s and girls’ sections.
The Council has contributed £40,000 towards the scheme, funded through the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund, helping bring the project to life alongside funding from Sport England, the England and Wales Cricket Board and The Club Cricket Charity.
Farnsfield Cricket Club is one of the district’s largest grassroots sports clubs, with more than 300 members and over 200 active players. Participation has grown considerably in recent years, particularly among young people and within the club’s expanding women’s and girls’ programmes.
The new training area has been installed by ECB-approved specialists Total Play Ltd and includes a range of enhancements to improve safety and performance, including protective skirting, batting curtains, secure pedestrian access gates and upgraded carpets and netting.
The facility is now fully operational and has been in use throughout the 2026 cricket season by junior, senior, women’s and girls’ teams. The project was officially celebrated at an opening event held on 31 July, attended by representatives from the club, funding partners and the local community, marking the successful completion of the investment and the positive impact it is already having on participation and player development.
Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "We're delighted to have supported this project through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which is designed to help rural communities thrive and invest in facilities that will deliver lasting local benefits.
“Farnsfield Cricket Club is a fantastic example of a community organisation responding to growing demand and creating opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in sport. By using Rural England Prosperity Fund investment to support projects like this, we can help strengthen community infrastructure, support local priorities and ensure that residents have access to high-quality facilities close to home."
Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure said:"Grassroots sports clubs play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing, bringing people together and encouraging active lifestyles. It's fantastic to see these new facilities already being used by so many players across the club's junior, senior, women's and girls' sections.
“I was pleased to attend the official opening event on 31 July and see first-hand the positive impact this investment is having. The new training nets will help the club continue to grow, develop players of all abilities and provide even more opportunities for residents to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity."
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Grassroots clubs are the heart of our communities and Farnsfield Cricket Club is a brilliant example of how funding in sport can have a real impact on local people. Not only does participation help us stay active and lead healthier lives, but it also brings people together and strengthens connections within villages and rural communities.
At the East Midlands Combined County Authority, we are committed to ensuring funding reaches the local organisations that make a real difference to people's lives. Projects like this help provide high-quality facilities that support the club's growth and encourage both current players and aspiring cricketers of all ages to get involved in sport.”
The project was led by club volunteers Matthew McClune, William Rushby and James Bray, working alongside the club committee, funding partners and contractors to secure funding and oversee delivery.
The Council's investment reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting thriving communities and improving access to high-quality leisure and sporting facilities across the district.
James Bowker, Head of Cricket at Farnsfield Cricket Club, said: "Participation in cricket at Farnsfield has grown significantly in recent years, particularly within our junior and women’s sections.
“These new nets are already making a real difference. They allow us to run more coaching sessions, accommodate more players at training and provide a first-class environment for player development.
“With more than 200 active cricketers and over 300 members across the club, the additional capacity will help us continue growing the game and welcoming new players from across the local community."
The Rural England Prosperity Fund is integrated within the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and awarded to Newark and Sherwood by the East Midlands Combined County Authority. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
