Cricket clubs can get cash windfall

Cricket clubs in Sunderland are being invited to apply for help from a £1m fund to promote the game to youngsters.

The offer – from the ECB and LV General Insurance scheme – aims to get more youngsters from deprived communities, disability groups and women and girls’ cricket playing the game.

Clubs in the region can register their interest in the programme and apply for financial help to keep crucial cricket projects on course over the coming months.

North East-born England star Mark Wood helped to launch the partnership– called #Funds4Runs.

With approximately 2.5 million male and female recreational cricketers across the UK, Wood highlighted the importance after beginning his own journey to World Cup stardom at Ashington Cricket Club.

He said: “I am delighted to help launch #Funds4Runs. I know from my own experiences as a young cricketer that grassroots cricket is the heartbeat of the sport and being given that opportunity to access cricket is crucial in building a love for the game.

“Like many other players, I’ve been concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the game so a thank you to everyone at LV and the ECB for providing much needed support that will help English cricket to recover and thrive.”

The initiative aims to help deliver three ECB objectives – connecting communities and improving lives through cricket, increasing the relevance of the game locally, and growing long-term engagement with cricket in communities.

To register an interest, clubs are being invited to go to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website.