Southwick bid to get new cricket nets

The cricket club has grown in recent years and now has 90 children between eight and 14 playing cricket but there are no net facilities within four miles of the club and school.

Southwick CC has been running for more than 200 years and are now a Vote 4 Nets application has been accepted and they are now in a One Family Foundation challenge.

That sees Southwick and Shoreham Academy’s application go into a nationwide ballot, with the club who gains the most votes picking up a £25,000 grant.

Southwick Cricket Club president John Piggott revealed the decision behind looking to get new nets.

He said: “We may have been playing cricket on the green for over 200 years without them but now is the time to get some proper nets for the players.

“I know it sounds odd but we haven’t been able to provide proper facilities ourselves before now.”

Southwick play their cricket in the West Sussex Invitation League and has experienced a renaissance in recent years.

Just four years ago, the club had five children attending coaching sessions on a Friday evening.

However, in what has proved to be a rapid rise, Southwick now have more than 100 youngsters take part.

Southwick vice-chairman Mark Broxup admitted it would be great if the club could get some nets.

He said: “We have been playing in the lower leagues in West Sussex for many years but now our aspirations are much greater.

“We have partnered with the local schools and Sussex have provided tremendous support and encouragement.

“This kind of support is invaluable to a small club like Southwick.

“Now that we have so much interest in cricket we have teamed up with the local secondary school, Shoreham Academy, in an attempt to provide nets and cricket facilities for children in the area.

“I know we have never had proper cricket nets in our 225 year history but now is the time to put that right.”

Anyone who wishes to vote for Southwick to get cricket nets in the One Family Foundation project can visit www.foundation.onefamily.com/projects/community-cricket-nets.

For more information, contact Ian Beattie on [email protected]

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