Watford Town Cricket Club receives grant for new practice nets

Watford Town CC has been awarded a neighbourhood grant of £20,000 to replace its existing nets with fully enclosed, lockable two-lane practice nets.

The new nets, at the club’s Woodside ground, will provide a safer and more efficient training and coaching environment for local and borough-wide cricketers of all ages.

The lanes are divided by netting all the way to the beginning of the run-ups meaning they offer greater protection, both for those on the cricket pitch and for the public from hard-hit balls.

Watford Town's Woodside ground (Image: Watford Borough Council)

The council's neighbourhood grant funding is generated from a Community Infrastructure Levy that developers pay on new housing developments in the borough.

The next round of funding is now open for applications. To find out more in advance, email NCIL@watford.gov.uk.

To read more about neighbouhood grant projects visit watfordneighbourhoodgrant.commonplace.is.

As well as adult players, the new nets will benefit many children who attend coaching sessions at Woodside every Sunday morning, throughout the summer.

Watford Town secretary Andrew Canning said: “We are delighted to have received this grant from the council. The new nets, being fully enclosed, will not only provide a safer environment for our members, but will also give us the opportunity to expand our coaching and training programs to the wider community.

“We look forward to welcoming new players to our club and providing them with the best possible facilities.”

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: “We are committed to promoting sports and recreational activities in our community. The Neighbourhood Grant scheme is one of the ways we are achieving this goal.

“I am delighted that Watford Town Cricket Club has been awarded this grant to improve their cricket nets, which will benefit both the club's members and the wider community.”