Googly Fund - Supporting Friendly Cricket

By friendly cricket, we mean cricket that is not being played in a league, and where the main aim of playing is as much social as competitive (though there's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly rivalry). This might be cricket that is played by Sunday teams of established clubs, or more ad hoc cricket played by work or 'pub' teams on a mid-week evening.

We particularly like to support teams playing 'declaration' or 'timed' cricket, because this form of cricket allows for the widest range of involvement in a single team, from eccentric spin bowlers to long-retired old lags and keen teenagers still learning their trade. We believe that social cricket can help to build links across all groups in a community, and also creates an opportunity for children and adults to enjoy sport together.

We typically make grants of between £100 and £300 to clubs, teams or individuals. A larger donation might be considered in exceptional circumstances. Any donation should have a significant impact in its own right, and should not be part of a club's wider fund-raising activities. The following are examples of what the fund can be used to support:

• a contribution to ground hire for a team wanting to play its inaugural match
• equipment for a team or player who may otherwise be unable to take part
• initiatives that will directly help to widen social access to adult friendly cricket
• training courses for aspiring ground-staff in how to prepare a cricket pitch
• an honorarium to recognise the contributions that a particular individual has made in running their cricket
• club at financial cost to themselves. This could include umpires and tea-makers.

The Primary Parent Challenge: grants of up to £300 available

We have set up a special fund to support social cricket matches between the parents of primary school children. Why? Because cricket is a great way to build social networks between adults and children, and primary school parents are a ready-made community of young(ish) adults ripe for returning to cricket, and getting their children involved too. We are offering grants of up to £300 to go towards the hire of a pitch, and the purchase of a match ball and some shared kit. Here are the four steps you need to take to qualify for the grant:

1. Find a parent at a nearby primary school who shares your love of playing social cricket. (They might not have played cricket since they were at school.)
2. Find a local pitch to hire. (It might be a secondary school pitch, a municipal ground or a local cricket club.)
3. Arrange with them a date during the summer term for an evening or afternoon match.
4. Use your school's newsletter to advertise for parents who would like to play in the match.

Once you have arranged a match, contact to ask us for a grant.

If you want some tips on how to make these matches fun and inclusive, you could copy the successful model used by schools in Dulwich, South London. Read about it here.

For more information on the fund, please visit - Googly Fund, supporting friendly cricket