New training facilities for Earby Cricket Club (From Lancashire Telegraph)

New training facilities for Earby Cricket Club

8:30pm Monday 1st March 2010 in

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STATE-of-the-art training facilities at Earby Cricket Club could steer youngsters away from anti-social behaviour, a councillor claims.

The improvements are being made possible after the England and Wales Cricket Board allocated £24,000 to the West Craven club.

Work is already under way to create new all-weather, two-lane practice nets at the club’s Applegarth ground.

Bosses described the work as their ‘biggest project’ for the last two decades.

They hope the facilities will help them provide coaching sessions to more youngsters on Friday evenings.

And a ward councillor welcomed the move, saying it could steer youths away from anti-social behaviour.

The club runs teams, ranging from under nines to under 15s, in the upper Airedale Junior League.

Around 100 children attend weekly coaching sessions at the club on Friday nights.

Glen Chapple, Lancashire Cricket Club captain, learned his trade at the club in his hometown.

Officials are hoping the expansion will increase the chances of them unearthing more stars in the future.

Club secretary Stuart Spencer said: “It is by far the biggest project the club has undertaken in recent years, and shows our commitment to youth cricket.

“The company that is doing the work recently built one for England star Freddie Flintoff – in his back garden.”

Earby councillor Morris Horsfield said: “I think it’s great. The children are burning energy and learning. It might even keep a few of them away from alcohol. I see them going along on a Friday night and they have all the tackle – the more they can get involved the better.”

The money was secured from the game’s governing body after officials submitted a bid for funding.

A condition of the allocation says the club must also come up with £8,000 and it is now planning various fundraising activities.

On Sunday at 7pm, the club is holding a meeting for senior players, aged 15 and over. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to attend.