Irvine locality team has helped an almost two-centuries-old sports club to develop state-of-the-art sports facilities to support talented young cricketeers.
First formed in 1836, Irvine Cricket Club recently sought the help of Irvine Locality Partnership back in summer 2024 to put forward a development bid to upgrade their sports grounds at Marress Road, Irvine.
The long-established sports club were subsequently granted £49,500 from the council’s Community Investment Fund when their application was unanimously approved by Cabinet officials back in June 2024.
Since then, Irvine Cricket Club is delighted to report that the funds have been invested to create a brand new outdoor, all-weather sports pitch to enable training and sports practices seven days a week, all year round.
Now nearing completion, the pitch is a key milestone in the club’s goals to bolster its youth team and empower children and young people in the heart of Irvine to find their confidence and realise their sporting potential.
Mr Neil added:
"Since receiving the windfall, the CIF funding has helped us to develop a fully secured two-bay outdoor cricket facility and our young players are thriving. The project has gone smoothly and thankfully following Storm Éowyn, the upgraded pitch is relatively unscathed.
"Feedback from our young players has been great, everyone is really happy with the new facility. We are here to give the youth a chance to grow as individuals, become healthier and ultimately more confident individuals, forming new relationships with kids their own age and lifelong bonds and friendships.
"We are looking forward to 2025 with optimism and will continue to work with K:A Leisure, Irvine locality team and local schools to raise our profile and help to transform the lives of our young people through the power of sport."
Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands, is pleased to learn of the progress made since the local sports club received the funding. He said:
“It is fantastic to hear that the new facilities at Irvine Cricket Club are now up and running thanks to the help of the Irvine Locality Partnership, who were incremental in helping the club to secure their CIF funding boost.
“The Community Investment Fund is a brilliant example of community empowerment in action, in this case, helping a prestigious grassroots cricket club with a rich heritage to become more sustainable.
“The boost is also enabling the club to achieve its future goals of nurturing young players to set up their stumps and find a renewed sense of confidence and pride in their area playing community cricket.
“I look forward to learning about how the club will play their part in supporting children and young people to train and upskill in the months to come.
“The aspirations of this prominent sports club are also aligned to Irvine’s locality goals of supporting residents to tackle social isolation, overcome poverty and encourage children and young people to lead healthier and happier lives.”
More information on the community funding available in North Ayrshire can also be found online.
