Since the start of the ECB County Grants Fund in 2021, the Devon Cricket Foundation has supported 78 different club projects with a combined value now exceeding the £1 million mark.

As of the end of the 2025 funding cycle, the combined value of the projects totalled over £1.03 million, including over £532,000 in ECB County Grants Fund money and just shy of £500,000 of partnership funding from clubs or other funding sources. ECB interest-free loans have also played a part in clubs being able to execute some of the more costly improvement projects, combining with the ECB County Grants Fund to make the projects viable.

Speaking on surpassing the landmark, Funding & Facilities Manager Nick Goodliffe said: "It's been very rewarding to support so many clubs to implement impactful projects, which really make a difference to their membership."

Clyst St George CC's Non-Turf Pitch, funded by the ECB County Grants Fund.

62 affiliated clubs in Devon have benefitted from at least one grant in the five years the ECB County Grants Fund has run, with the 78 projects showing a good spread across the three main eligibility criteria:

  • Creating welcoming environments - 35 projects
  • Providing enhanced playing facilities and playing opportunities for women and girls, and disability cricket - 17 projects
  • Tackling climate change - 27 projects

Club projects have been wide and varied, including:

  • Simple furniture replacements, improving the appearance and comfort of a clubhouse bar.
  • Full kitchen refurbishments.
  • New practice nets and non-turf pitches.
  • Provision of electricity through off-grid solar PV installations.
  • Improvements to disability access and toilets.
  • Conversion of rooms into female changing areas.
  • New electric grounds machinery.
  • Rainwater harvesting infrastructure.

Whilst not yet confirmed, the ECB County Grants Fund should return again in 2026, with further details to be made available before the end of the year.

"The County Grant Fund cuts across all clubs, but those who are offering a wider playing experience stand to benefit from a broader range of funding opportunities," says Nick.

Solar PV panels installed at Barnstaple & Pilton CC.

In Devon, two application windows are open for clubs to apply for the ECB County Grants Fund during the year:

  • From February/March, to allow clubs to execute their projects either before the season starts or during the season.
  • From August/September, to allow clubs to conduct the more disruptive type of projects outside of the playing season.

"We always try to prioritise those clubs who are first-time applicants, as the mission is to support as many of our affiliated clubs as possible. We recommend that clubs do their homework first and fully scope out their project, including obtaining planning permission where necessary, ahead of making their application.

"I'm happy to have informal chats at the concept stage to discuss project viability, so please get in touch with any ideas that may be brewing."

Contact

If your club is interested in finding out more about a County Grant for a project of interest, in this current application round, then please contact our Funding & Facilities Manager, Nick Goodliffe:

nick.goodliffe@devoncricket.co.uk
07801 178329