Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Staffordshire County Cricket Board and Cricket Facilities Strategy121. There are currently two cricket clubs within the City which have achievedClubmark status, plus Kidsgrove CC, and Meir Heath CC justoutside the City.122. As participation levels in primary and secondary schools increase the ECBconsiders it vital that clubs are encouraged and supported to introduce and/ordevelop junior sections. To accommodate an increasing number of players,teams, coaching sessions and matches, facilities of a suitable quality must bemade available to allow a continuing improvement of standards both withinschools and the community.123. All Staffordshire’s affiliated clubs were audited during summer 2008 byStaffordshire Cricket Board to provide a baseline for the Facilities Strategy.The requested data focussed on the following 5 main areas and combinedboth quantitative and qualitative assessment:• Fine turf provision – quality of square and outfield, number of strips,machinery;• Practice facilities – number and quality of practice facilities;• Changing facilities – number of changing rooms, size and quality;• Indoor provision – access and quality;• Ancillary cricket facilities – what else is required.124. The data was collated and analysed using the local knowledge of the board’sprofessional staff, the appropriate Minimum Facility Assessment Standard(MFAS) and the ECB’s technical specification guidance documents to ensurethat it was: valid and representative of the existing facility provision across thecounty; helped to identify gaps in provision (from quality, quantity andgeographical perspectives); and, identified strategic commitments in orderthat they can be alignedto potential funding streams.125. The facility priorities will relate to Staffordshire Cricket’s 8 Areas ofCommitment:Commitment 1 – Playing and Practice FacilitiesCommitment 2 – Grounds’ StaffCommitment 3 – Changing FacilitiesCommitment 4 – Ancillary FacilitiesCommitment 5 – Security of TenureCommitment 6 – MachineryCommitment 7 – Indoor FacilitiesCommitment 8 – Building Schools for the FutureNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 315Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009