Edwinstowe Cricket Club bowls over community with new state-of-the-art-practice nets
Edwinstowe Community Cricket Club is celebrating the successful opening of its brand-new cricket practice nets, marking a major milestone for grassroots sport in the village.
The new two-bay artificial net facility at the Club’s Forest Corner ground officially opened on Friday 22 May, providing local players with access to high-quality training facilities right on their doorstep. The development is already being hailed as a “game-changer” for the club and the wider community.
The project forms part of a wider package of improvements made possible through funding secured from Harworth Group PLCplc, a leading regeneration and strategic land owner and developer, linked to their investment at Thoresby Vale. A total of £57,732 was allocated through a combination of Open Space Sports and Community Facilities contributions, administered by Newark and Sherwood District Council, to support both the construction of the nets and the installation of solar panels on the clubhouse.
The new facility will enable players of all ages and abilities to practice locally, eliminating the need to travel outside the village for training.
Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a truly fantastic example of how strong partnership working and targeted investment can deliver lasting benefits for our communities. Through Section 106 contributions, supported by partners such as Harworth Group plc, we are able to invest in the facilities that people value most. These new practice nets will not only help players of all abilities to develop their skills in a high-quality environment, but they will also inspire more people, especially young people, to get involved in sport. Just as importantly, this project supports our wider ambitions around sustainability, health and wellbeing, and building stronger, more connected communities for the future.”
The club, which is recognised as a welcoming and inclusive hub for residents, has seen growing demand for its coaching and playing opportunities, particularly among younger players and women and girls.
Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see projects like this come to life and already making a difference within the community. Edwinstowe Community Cricket Club plays such an important role locally, particularly in championing inclusivity and creating opportunities for women and girls to take part in cricket. These new nets will help the club build on that success by providing a safe, accessible and high-quality space for people to train, stay active and socialise. We know the positive impact sport can have on both physical and mental health, and having facilities like this right on the doorstep removes barriers and opens the door for even more residents to get involved.”
Quote from Mike Wigglesworth
Cameron Sanderson, Senior Development Manager at Harworth Group said: “Thoresby Vale has always been about creating a lasting legacy for Edwinstowe and the surrounding area, and our Section 106 contributions reflect that ambition.
We’re pleased to see funding delivered in partnership with the District and Parish Council translating into tangible local benefits, such as these new practice nets. This forms part of a wider package of community investment at Thoresby Vale from open space and sports facilities to key infrastructure all designed to ensure growth benefits existing and new residents.”.
In addition to enhancing sporting provision, the installation of solar panels alongside the new nets highlights a strong commitment to sustainability, helping to reduce the club’s running costs and environmental impact.
The improvements underline the ongoing success of the Thoresby Vale Working Group, a partnership between Newark and Sherwood District Council, Edwinstowe Parish Council and Harworth Group plc, ensuring that local infrastructure keeps pace with growth and continues to benefit residents for years to come.
