10 clubs in Devon are now generating (and in most cases, storing) electricity to offset their energy costs as a result of applying for the ECB County Grants Fund.

Tackling Climate Change is one of three eligibility themes that ECB-affiliated clubs can use to secure County Grant funding. The ECB County Grants Fund, which began in 2021, aims to support affiliated cricket clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities for women, girls and disability cricket, and develop environmentally sustainable facilities.

PV solar panels installed at Barnstaple & Pilton CC.

Rising operating costs, based largely on the cost of energy and other utilities, have made it increasingly difficult for cricket clubs to keep afloat. For rurally located cricket clubs, who have had to operate without mains water and electricity, there are now means of overcoming those hurdles.

So far in 2024, the Devon Cricket Foundation (DCF) has supported eight County Grant projects with a wide range of improvements to clubs or sustainability projects. We intend to complete some case studies in the coming months for some of these excellent projects, many of which have resulted in reduced running costs for the club.

The fund has three essential themes for investment:

  • Creating Welcoming Environments
  • Providing Enhanced Facilities and Playing Opportunities for Women's and Girls' Cricket and/or Disability Cricket
  • Tackling Climate Change

PV solar panels installed at Barton CC.

Clubs can apply for between £1,000 and £10,000 to support their viable club projects. They will need to demonstrate partnership funding either directly from club funds or an alternative source.

The second application window for ECB County Grants will open on Monday, July 22 and will run until Friday, September 6. During this period clubs can complete their online application via the IMS portal.

At an early stage in the application process, clubs have an opportunity to submit their 'Expression of Interest' (EoI). This will allow the DCF to evaluate the likely level of interest in applications for the remainder of this year and compare these against the remaining grant budget.

We would encourage that, for any projects needing detailed quotations and potentially planning permission, engagement commences now, ahead of the application window opening, as these activities can take considerable time to complete.

It is essential to note that any proposed projects will need to be developed and completed before the end of January 2025. This important factor needs to be considered before submitting an EoI, as if project completion is unlikely in that timescale, we would recommend clubs wait until next year's application window opens.

Further details on the ECB County Grants Fund are available by clicking here.

Water heating from PV solar panels at Westleigh CC.

CONTACT

For any County Grants Fund enquiries please contact our Funding & Facilities manager, Nick Goodliffe

07801 178329
nick.goodliffe@devoncricket.co.uk