Lightcliffe Cricket Club is launching a fundraising appeal for £10,000, which would unlock £10,000 more from Sport England and the National Lottery to help build its new three-lane practice nets at its Till Carr Lane home.

Planning permission has been secured for the facility, which will replace worn-out, dangerous nets and meet the growing demand from the nearly 200 juniors, including the new girls-only Roses team that was launched this season.

After several years of discussion and debate, the club now wants to get the nets ready for the start of the 2027 campaign next spring. A substantial amount of the nearly £70,000 needed has been raised through events and investment, now a final £20,000 is required to get the job done.

Sport England, through their National Lottery-funded Movement Fund, have pledged that if £10,000 is raised by the community before Christmas, they will add £10,000 more to the ‘Mission: Nets Possible – Let’s Get Them Built’ Crowdfunder.

Lightcliffe junior players Dominic and Luke at the club's current nets that need to be replaced.

placeholder image — Lightcliffe junior players Dominic and Luke at the club's current nets that need to be replaced.

As well as supporting the club’s 400-strong membership, including juniors aged five to 18, the facilities would be available to support the community beyond and build on existing partnerships with local schools and groups.

Lightcliffe committee member, crowdfunding lead and cricket dad Stephen Naylor said: “Lightcliffe Cricket Club is a special place with so many young people; boys and girls, toddlers and teenagers, coming together to develop a love of cricket, a passion for sport and desire to improve.

"Our grounds are rightly held up as some of the best in the league, but at the moment our practice nets are the weak link.

“We now have this amazing opportunity to build a facility fit for the future. So much has already been done, now we just need to get this done and get them built.

"To do that, we need your help. Any donation of any amount will make a difference, but I’d also encourage businesses who love where we live to support the club so they can be a part of the future development of our community and our young people.

“The plans are there. The permission is there. The need is certainly there. Now, we just need to get them built. Please help us achieve that.”

The Crowdfunder is live until Wednesday, December 16 at www.lightcliffecricket.com/nets