GROW YOUR CLUB & INCREASE PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES

In 2024 Somerset Cricket Foundation created and launched a local fund called the Growing the Game Fund, and the first year of funding we supported 9 clubs to help them starting new Youth, Girls and Women’s activity.

The fund has been created to support clubs starting new Youth, Girls and Women’s activity within one of the following:

Hardball Transition Support Coaching support:

  • 4 week Hardball transition sessions run by SCF Coaches (Look at enhance pillar delivery option).
  • Core coach qualification funding- male or female.
  • A how to guide- hardball. Do’s and Don’ts.
  • Club meetings- with whole committees to ensure there is buy in from their fellow committee members.
  • Financial support with Hardball Kit .
  • Support with Girls development plan.
  • Joint agreement from Foundation and Club.
  • Signpost your club to access opportunities and resources.
  • School and club link- actively help create this link.
  • Coaches Development offering. 2/3 hours of support.
  • Helping support some of their young coaches.

Girls Softball Offering:

  • Allstars/Dynamo Transition sessions to age group cricket
  • 4 week SCF coach support sessions .
  • How to set up a Girl Section guide
  • •Coaching support-
  • Foundation coach qualification funding.
  • Softball Kit bag offering.
  • Support with Girls development plan.
  • Joint agreement from Foundation and Club.
  • Signpost your club to access opportunities and resources.
  • Helping support some of their young coaches
  • School and club link- actively help create this link.

What is included as part of the funding?

The fund helps in removing barriers which clubs can have in setting up these activities by giving club the opportunity to apply for all or a combination of the following support worth:

  • Foundation Coach Course Qualification – £150
  • Core Coach Qualification – £300
  • Umpire Qualification – £70
  • Scorer Qualification – £30
  • Hard Ball Kit Bag – £800
  • Women’s Soft Ball Kit Bag – £250
  • SCF Coaching Session Visit (x4)

In addition to the above each club will be provided with how to guides and club support meetings to support with the development of girls cricket.

The fund works on a 50% funding basis with all qualifications being reimbursed on successful completion and Kit Bags clubs only paying half the above cost.

With the funding in year 1 clubs would be expected to establish their activity and in year 2 clubs supported with funding are required to have teams playing in competition.

How do we apply for the Fund?

The fund is now open until 18th July 2025 and there are two part for applying:

  1. Complete the Grow the Game Application Form
  2. Send copies of your latest accounts, a bank statement within the last three months and you club development plan to Matt Counsell

You will hear from us shortly after the deadline.

Please note:

There are a few key points we would like to make to clubs at this stage:

  1. Prioritising: For the first 3 activity themes priority will be given to clubs without this activity currently and for the 4th theme applications will also be consider for clubs seeking to start Womens Hard Ball.
  2. Management: The fund will be administered by SCF Staff, with a Panel for award decisions.
  3. Scale of support: SCF have created this fund to support the recreational game and the ambitions of its Inspiring Generations Strategy. However, there are finite levels of funding available to us so it is important that applications have strong delivery outcomes. and this may mean that applications are not funded to the maximum requested.
  4. Club’s not continuing activity in year after funding award: Any Club who do not continue the activity or progress to playing in competition the club will be liable to pay back the grant award which will be detailed in any award contract.

Get in touch

If you’d like to speak to us about SCF Growing the Game Fund, please contact us using the short online form below.