Cricket clubs and leagues are now able to apply to two new funding schemes specifically designed to help see them through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Full information on both the Emergency Loan Scheme and the Return To Cricket Grant Scheme can be found here.
The measures are part of a £61m package designed to support the whole game, with ECB having also announced measures to help lower central costs, and protect jobs in the long-term.
Director of Participation & Growth, Nick Pryde, said: “This is a very difficult time for our sport and for everyone involved in the recreational game across England and Wales.
“ECB understands the concerns of everyone involved in cricket and we want to be able to support. We hope that these Emergency Support Measures will be beneficial to you and your club.
“We would like to thank you for your efforts in working for your club, for your league and for the game throughout this difficult period, we understand it hasn’t been easy.
“All of us at ECB will continue to listen to the recreational game and work with you to help support and guide. Together we can help our game overcome this challenge.”
Emergency Loan Scheme
The ECB Emergency Loan Scheme aims to support affiliated cricket clubs during the COVID-19 crisis by providing funding to assist clubs to cover any shortfall in essential day-to-day running and maintenance costs until normal recreational cricket activity can be resumed.
Who can apply?
Clubs affiliated to their County Cricket Board in 2019 or 2020.
What will the scheme fund?
ECB will consider applications for costs for a period of up to 12 months. Clubs should calculate estimated shortfall in the following expenditure areas:
- Utility or service Costs
- Rental charges
- Staff costs (employees – not coaches or players)
- Cleaning or maintenance commitments
- IT licences
- Security
- Insurance
- Equipment orders that can’t be deferred or recovered
- TV / Broadband subscriptions (where it is not suspended)
- Affiliations
- Any other reasonable fixed and / or contracted cost
How much loan can I apply for?
Club with a junior section (including All Stars Cricket / Dynamos Cricket) between £1,000 and £5,000.
Club with an adult section only between £1,000 and £3,000.
Return to Cricket Grant Scheme
The Return to Cricket Grant Scheme aims to provide cricket clubs and leagues with assistance in exceptional circumstances, where other potential sources of financial support are not available, e.g. constitutionally a loan is not an option or there is a high risk of default in paying back a loan.
Who can apply?
Clubs that are prevented from taking out an Emergency Loan by their own constitution or articles
Cricket leagues (open-age or junior)
Clubs that have an annual turnover of less than £15,000
What will the scheme fund?
Clubs and leagues can apply for:
- Utility or service costs
- Rental charges
- Staff costs (employees – not coaches or players)
- Cleaning or maintenance commitments
- IT licences
- Security
- Insurance
- Equipment orders that can’t be deferred or recovered
- TV / Broadband subscriptions (where it is not suspended)
- Affiliations
- Any other reasonable fixed and / or contracted costs
How much grant can I apply for?
Clubs with an adult Section only up to £1,000.
Leagues (open-age or junior) up to £2,000.
Clubs with a junior section (including All Stars Cricket / Dynamos Cricket) up to £3,000.