Budleigh Salterton's new cricket ground will be a ‘game changer’ for the club, according to officials at the club’s AGM last week.

Reflecting on a ‘challenging’ year, Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club director Bill Roper said: “As a club we’re really looking forward to flourishing and not just surviving – the new ground will be a game changer for us.”

The AGM heard that the pavilion will be completed on schedule and on budget in the autumn and that, with temporary changing and bar facilities in place, a full season of cricket would begin on the new ground on East Budleigh Road in April.

Bill said the move from one pitch to two meant 2023 would see the club host 'more cricket than ever before in its history'.

BSCC Treasurer Andy Drodge said the current climate, costs associated with existing on a flood plain and the challenges facing all sports clubs and organisations meant BSCC had lost £91k over the last decade. This loss demonstrated the need for the new ground to generate revenue throughout the year and to capitalise on opportunities such as event hire alongside traditional cricketing revenue.

Fundraising co-ordinator Carolyn Roper explained that while funds were in place to finish the build, a community effort was required to raise the money needed to ‘make it sing’. The disability lift, fitted bar and commercial kitchen, audio visual equipment, training nets and solar panels were among items on the fundraising wish list. The Buy a Brick scheme launched in November has raised more than £11k so far and £23k has been secured from charitable trusts, with other applications submitted.

Chairman Joel Murphy reflected on a ‘great year’ for the first and second teams and outlined the introduction of a third team as an opportunity to retain younger players. He made special mention of Eddie Doble as a 'prime example' of how the club is succeeding in developing and holding onto homegrown talent.

Jasper Westaway explained the expansion of women’s and girls’ cricket at the club meant the introduction of a Girls’ U11 softball team and U15 Hardball side.

To support the club visit https://www.bsccbuyabrick.co.uk