Merstham use ECB & Waitrose grant for showers at Ring

Merstham Cricket Club has successfully been awarded a grant to enhance its facilities, approved by Surrey County Cricket Club.

The financial boost has enabled the club to replace the hot water system at The Ring, the club's second ground on Earlswood Common, to ensure showers were restored to working order.

The funding forms part of the England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Small Grant Scheme, supported by Waitrose, which creates a sustainable future for affiliated cricket clubs through vital improvement of their facilities.

Waitrose, the England Team sponsor, supported the Scheme by pledging £100 for every four or six scored across the entire home international summer in 2014. The Waitrose donation, alongside investment from Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Trust, has allowed more local communities to benefit from refurbishments to kitchens and social areas, the purchase of covers, supporting ECB’s Get the Game on campaign, and environmental sustainability in cricket clubs.

Graeme Attridge, Chairman of Merstham Cricket Club, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant to upgrade our facilities at The Ring. As a club, we have made a commitment to improve the facilities on that site. Sprucing up the clubhouse there, as opposed to concentrating on our main home at Quality Street, was the focus of our activities for the annual NatWest Cricket Force in the Spring. This is because we have a growing number of members and teams and we needed the extra facilities - having working showers at the venue was a crucial part of that progression. This grant has provided valuable support for what, on the ground as a whole, will be an expensive project and helps provide a long term investment to benefit the local community here.”

Mike Gatting, the former England captain and ECB Cricket Partnership Ambassador who opened Merstham's clubhouse in June 2012, said: “We’re passionate about creating a sustainable future for cricket clubs and their communities across England and Wales. Small grants to clubs like Merstham make a huge difference to their long term future.”

Rupert Elwood, Head of Marketing for Waitrose, said: "We are proud to see the positive impact these funds will have on local clubs. We are especially excited that so many clubs are investing in their kitchen and social areas. This grant scheme is dedicated to grassroots cricket, supporting clubs as they build their fundraising activities and ensure a longstanding future as a key part of the local community. We are also delighted to announce we'll be running the Waitrose Boundary Fund again this year. During the upcoming Ashes Series, we'll be donating £100 for every four or six scored by England.”

Charles Johnston, Director of Property at Sport England, said: “We’re pleased to support the ECB in its Small Grants Scheme. We know that people have a better experience of sport when they have good places to play and get changed. With this scheme helping clubs improve facilities and equipment, it will enable clubs to provide more regular opportunities for practice, matches and social activities, benefitting the local community.”