Newport Cricket Club has received £25,000 in funding from Principality Building Society’s Retrofit for the Future Fund to deliver essential sustainability improvements.
Based in Newport International Sports Village in Lliswerry, the club offers cricket opportunities for all ages and skill levels, with two cricket pitches, a clubhouse, and the Newport Cricket Club Museum.
The club delivers high-quality cricket coaching programmes for both young people and adults, building strong partnerships with local schools and community teams, including multi-cultural clubs such as the Newport Asians, Maindee and Newport Tigers. By supporting pathways into organised leagues and competitive play, the club engages around 200 children and young people each summer – extending its role beyond the clubhouse and playing a key role in the local community.
In recent years the club has faced challenges around unreliable and insufficient water supply, which has affected the maintenance of facilities and the quality of its playing surfaces. The funding from Principality Building Society will enable the installation of a dedicated water borehole, providing a sustainable and independent water source that will ensure consistent access to water year-round.
During the latest funding round almost £100,000 has been distributed across four organisations through its Retrofit for the Future Fund delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Wales, which focuses on supporting groups and third sector organisations to improve energy efficiency.
Commenting on the announcement, Nigel Taylor, Head of Brand, Impact and Communications at Principality Building Society said: “Supporting communities across Wales is central to our values at Principality Building Society. As a mutual organisation, we reinvest for the benefit of our Members, and this funding reflects our commitment to building stronger, more sustainable communities. Our Retrofit for the Future Funds are designed to make a meaningful difference across Wales, and we’re pleased to see this investment delivering long-term benefits for the Club and the wider Newport community with this new water facility.”
Mike Knight, Head Coach at Newport Cricket Club, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Principality Building Society and Community Foundation Wales for their support. Installing a water borehole is quite a significant project but is absolutely vital to allow us to make some real improvements. This investment will make a lasting difference to our club and will help make sure our facilities here will last well into the future, for everyone who uses them.”
Newport Cricket Club, which was first established in 1834, provides cricket for almost 200 children throughout the summer, with 11 junior teams and multiple senior squads. The club also hosts international training camps, including for Test nations. The club remains a cornerstone of sporting life in the local area.
