An exciting new fund aimed at budding cricketers in County Durham is being launched by the Durham County Cricket Club Youth Trust which will be managed by County Durham Community Foundation. The Fund is looking to further assist local cricket organisations with the object of improving the life of young people in the region.

Grants will be given to local cricket clubs and other eligible community organisations that develop youth cricket at all levels of the game. Projects that specifically promote the development of young cricketers will also be supported.

County Durham has produced many talented cricketers who have gone on to play at county and international level and providing support of this kind can help maintain this tradition.

County Durham Community Foundation, who now manage more than 200 charitable funds on behalf of local people and businesses, are contributing a match element to the Fund which will be launched at the annual fundraising dinner of the Durham County Cricket Club Youth Trust on Friday, 10th March 2017.

Barbara Gubbins Chief Executive of County Durham Community Foundation said:

“This is a very exciting opportunity for CDCF to help the Trust encourage and develop youth cricket in our area. Supporting sporting activities has been an essential part of our grant-making as it is so vital to grow individual core skills such as teamwork, commitment, trust and friendships – as well as promoting health and wellbeing. This Fund will be an important addition to the range of grant opportunities we manage and we look forward to working with Geoff and the other Trustees to achieve their aims.”

Geoff Cook Director of Cricket at Durham County Cricket Club and Chair of the Trustees of the Youth Trust and the new fund said:

“County Durham Community Foundation has agreed to support the Durham County Cricket Club Youth Trust in order to extend the grant aid opportunities for young cricketers in County Durham. The aim is to help the players fulfil their potential and ambitions and is a tremendous boost to the Youth Trust which has supported developing cricketers over the past 34 years.”