Grants and Loans
ECB Grants and Loans
The ECB does offer grants and loans to cricket clubs but the availability of these grants and loans does vary on a yearly basis. Also, there are very specific criteria relating to each grant or loan programme that is available. However, the different sources of ECB grants and loans are summarised below:
ECB Grant Aid
ECB Grant Aid is only available to Focus Clubs and its aim is to support capital projects including; non turf practic facilities, fine turf work, changing rooms and clubhouse developments. There are some specific guidance notes relating to ECB Grant Aid but in reality these are quite outdated. In the current climate ECB are only funding up to 50% of total project costs and they are only supporting clubs with a recognised women and girls section.
Interest Free Loan Scheme for Clubs
The England and Wales Cricket Trust offers an interest free loan scheme to affiliated cricket clubs with junior sections to assist with the financing of facility development projects. There is a maximum award of £50,000 and re-payments are made on a quarterly basis throughout the term of the loan.
Interest Free Loan Scheme Guidance Notes
ECB Sources of Grant Aid
The ECB recognises that its Grant Aid scheme and Interest Free Loan scheme will never be able to support all projects throughout the country and so to further assist clubs with grant aid, the ECB has produced a sources of grant aid booklet. This booklet contains information on, not only ECB funding programmes, but also on other funding programmes that are relevant to Cricket clubs.
ECB Sources of Grant Aid Booklet
Non ECB Grants and Loans
The ECB Sources of Grant Aid booklet above will give information on various non ECB grants but some important funding schemes to look out for are as follows:
Lords Taverners - Kit Bags and Non Turf Pitches
The Lords Taverners is a charity that offers great support to cricket clubs and schools through offering financial support with the purchase of cricket equipment bags for all different ages and through supporting with the cost of installing non turf cricket pitches. The Lords Taverners website provides more information on the various grant schemes that are available to cricket clubs and schools.
Sport England Funding
Sport England is the governmenr based agency that provides a large amount of funding to governing bodies such as the ECB. However, Sport England also runs its own funding programmes that sports club can apply directly in to. The Sport England website is regularly kept up to date with current funding opportunities. Currently, in 2011 the Sport England funding programmes are as follows:
