Belvoir Cricket Club are raising £10,000 to help fund a new pavilion
For nearly 100 years, cricket has been played at the Belvoir Cricket Ground in Knipton. It would be hard to find a more picturesque setting for a cricket ground, set in the landscaped grounds of Belvoir Castle.
Belvoir Cricket Club currently field two Adult Saturday teams in the Gunn & Moore South Notts Cricket League. A Sunday side in in the Grantham and Melton League and have midweek evening games across the season.
The club has a thriving Junior section which field a number of different age group teams in the Newark League and as of 2022 a Women's team that is going from strength to strength.
Women's Cricket at Belvoir CC
In 2022, we started a Women's Cricket section at Belvoir. The squad developed from early season indoor nets to playing several soft ball friendlies over the course of the season.
Following a thorough winter training programme, team manager, Sue Sharpe, entered the team in to the Notts Women's Indoor League. Amazingly, they successfully reached the Finals Day which took place at the indoor facilities at Trent Bridge. Huge congratulations to all involved and especially coaches Matt Scott and Tom Lindsay.
The project and what we're trying to achieve
The pavilion at Knipton is tired, in disrepair and an eyesore in the beautiful estate grounds. It has no disabled facilities, little indoor space when it rains and such poor toilets that we have to hire Portaloos. Alongside the Belvoir Cricket & Countryside Trust, Belvoir Cricket Club are aiming to produce a brand-new pavilion facility.
The Belvoir Cricket & Countryside Trust has submitted plans to replace the old pavilion it uses at Knipton and attach a multi-use hall behind it. The sports and education charity hopes that the proposal will help it grow and inspire the next generation to lead healthy, active lives.
As well as giving the charity a permanent base, it will also be the new home of Belvoir Cricket Club and be made available to community groups and other sporting organisations.
Former England cricketer Darren Bicknell, who has led the Trust since its inception 11 years ago, said: "The new pavilion and hall will enable us to increase the number of primary age children and special needs youngsters who take part in our programmes from just over 4,000 to 6,000-plus per year.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality
1. Make a pledge. Don't delay if you're going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won't need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
How we'll spend the money raised
The new building will transform both the Belvoir Cricket & Countryside's Trust + Belvoir CC's future as we look to make a real difference to young people's lives as we look to the next decade and beyond.
Community impact
Our ambitions are shaped by the need to alleviate obesity, social isolation, and mental health issues in our young people, all of which have increased due to COVID-19.
Ultimately, this will be facility to be proud of and be able to invite the community to share.
Help with donations here