PENISTONE Cricket Club’s members have set up a fundraiser in a bid to replace ‘dangerous’ facilities ahead of the new season next year.
The club, which was established in 1867, is run by a committee of volunteers and provides cricket facilities for players between five and 99 years old - they are now hoping to raise £10,000 to help further develop the facilities and to replace an old astroturf wicket.
Michaela Burton, the commercial manager at the club, told the Chronicle: “We’ve patched the astroturf wicket a number of times over the years because we’ve been quite lucky that we’ve had a few different strips but now it’s in a dangerous state.
“It’s in disrepair, we’re hoping that we’re going to be able to get the funds together before the season starts next April.
“It’s an essential part of the club because we have to replace the astroturf wicket to enable training and for our junior teams to play safely.”
Michaela has been told the replacement will cost more than £3,500 and a subsequent £1,550 for a batting cage at the club - any funds raised after this would go towards redeveloping club house facilities.
“When I set up the fundraiser I wasn’t sure how much it would cost to replace but they are a lot of money,” she added.
“The juniors would usually train in the nets at Penistone Grammar School when the clocks go forward, but obviously due to Covid we aren’t sure if we’re going to be able to do that so it is important.
“Any additional funds that we raise will go towards a new pavilion - I don’t think that it’ll last for another five years so we’ve been speaking about that too.”
To donate to the club’s fundraiser, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/penistone-cricket-club-new-beginnings?fbclid=IwAR3PLTjZOjGFSgl6TdqX0gzOlqzoJStoKjUT4u7fJjLdK27D3YZ57xWP5g0
