Edenstone sponsorship to help Devon cricket club make home ground improvements

A CRICKET club’s vision of future-proofing its facilities, improving the matchday experience and growing the sport in Devon has moved a step closer with sponsorship from Edenstone. 

Currently building and selling homes in Sampford Peverell, the company has donated £1,000 towards works at Heathcoat Cricket Club’s ground at Whitnage Road in the town.

Across its two locations Heathcoat Cricket Club has more than 325 playing members, including four Saturday league sides, a women’s hardball and softball team, a variety of T20 cup and social teams, and a full programme of junior cricket from age four upwards.

Vice-chairman Chris Salter said: “Our vision is to be the best cricket club in Devon, while supporting cricketers of all ages and abilities to play to their full potential.  We’re on a mission to promote, organise and foster amateur cricket of the highest standard in the Devon area. Central to our ethos is enjoyment of the game and the development of young cricketers.

“Last year the Devon Cricket Board, in collaboration with the England Cricket Board made funding available for clubs targeted at supporting children, women and people with disabilities to play cricket.

"Heathcoat Cricket Club was successfully awarded funding towards the digitalisation of our Sampford Peverell ground at Whitnage Road, the home of our women’s teams, third and fourth senior XI and a number of junior teams.

"We’re using the grant funding for a new electronic scoreboard to replace the failing manual board; to upgrade the IT hardware to facilitate live scoring; build a score hut; to purchase camera equipment to live broadcast matches at Whitnage Road and update Wi-Fi facilities.

"The grant funding only covers 80% of this so we’re grateful to Edenstone for their sponsorship, which will help towards our ongoing fundraising for the improvements which will help future-proof the ground.”

Along with improving facilities, the club aims to increase junior membership by 5% a year and women’s membership by 50% a year.

The cricket ground at Whitnage Road is around a mile from Edenstone’s development The Orchards.

Edenstone operations director Chris Edge said: “As good neighbours and proud supporters of grassroots sports, we were keen to help Heathcoat Cricket Club.

"Sport is a great way to meet people, stay fit and active and develop life skills such as teamwork and communication. We wish the club the best of luck with the works and for the cricket season and beyond.”

Anyone looking to score a new home in the Sampford Peverell will be bowled over by The Orchards. The final phase of homes has now been released, offering a choice of high specification, energy efficient new homes in a stunning location, with potential for panoramic views.

The show home and sales centre at The Orchards are open Thursday to Monday from 10.30am to 5.00pm.

For more information about The Orchards, named Residential Project of the Year (36 homes and over) at last year’s Michelmores Awards, see https://edenstonehomes.com/developments/the-orchards

Photo: Heathcoat Cricket Club vice-chairman Chris Salter, Edenstone sales consultant Darren Kellaway, and Heathcoat Cricket Club chairman Dean Edwards, by the side of the new digital scoreboard and pavilion.