Rawdon Cricket Club is delighted to confirm it has been successful in its bid to secure a share of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

RCC will receive £74,815 of National Lottery funding to upgrade and extend its changing facilities, part of an on-going programme of improvements which has helped thousands of local young people get into sport since it opened its doors in 1999. The improvements include a complete upgrade of the existing facilities and the addition of a further, segregated changing room.

Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “The Inspired Facilities Fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country. It’s great to see Rawdon Cricket Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund.”

Club President, John Statham, said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment, which will allow us to upgrade the quality of our premises. In a year when we secured a unique treble, winning the cup at U13, U15 and U17 level, we are grateful to Sport England for this funding, which will help reinforce and expand our already vibrant and successful senior and junior playing sections.”

The present facility was opened in 1908 (pictured above) and has seen several changes down the years. The latest extension and renovation will include a larger visitors changing room, improved shower and toilet facilities, an umpires room, disabled facilities and a storage area. Copies of the approved plans will be available in the clubhouse for members to see very soon. This is obviously a very exciting time for all concerned at the club. We will of course have plenty of hard work in the months ahead preparing the area and doing all we can to keep costs within budget and hopefully to ensure it is completed in time for the start of the 2016 season.

A small sub-committee have worked on this project for several months but great credit must go to John Hughes and Andrew Doidge for their knowledge in this field, liasing with architects, builders and Sport England in preparing a very impressive and successful bid.