Lancashire Cricket Foundation and VIY Project help Blackley Cricket Club

5 years ago, Blackley Cricket Club’s ground and clubhouse had fallen into serious disrepair, to a point where cricket could no longer be played at the ground. Membership had also fallen, to the extent that the club were reduced to one senior men’s team playing at a rented ground elsewhere in the city.

However, after a new committee was formed, a new lease was agreed with Manchester City Council and with extensive fundraising, thanks to Lancashire Cricket Foundation and Manchester Cricket Development Group, extensive repairs were carried out which included a new roof.

The club now has two senior teams, a thriving women’s and girl’s section which fields a team in a Women’s Soft Ball League and also operates an All Stars Cricket Programme for 5 to 8 year old boys and girls and a Dynamos Cricket Programme for 8 to 11 year olds.

Earlier this year The Lancashire Cricket Foundation introduced VIY to the club, who have been instrumental in helping the club the current development.

5 young people from Manchester Youth Zone and the local area volunteered on a tough job removing old flaking paintwork and repairing damaged concrete panels, as well as the complete external painting of the buildings, plus two additional shipping containers which are currently used as a changing room and a ground equipment store. Five P&D and H&S Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were awarded through this project.

Tony Ganner, Club Chairman, Blackley Cricket Club said,

“The transformation of the exterior of building is incredible. The work has been carried out to a very high standard and the project has been completed bang on schedule. The club are delighted with the project outcome and are extremely grateful to the mentors and the young people who have carried out the work. It has been a truly worthwhile project that is of great benefit to both the club and the wider community.”