ONE of the region’s leading sporting clubs has moved closer to delivering an ambitious centre of excellence for young cricketers.

Durham County Cricket Club is trying to raise £150,000 to create a new nursery ground next to its Chester-le-Street stadium.

Today (Thursday, June 4) it announced it had received a £30,000 donation towards the appeal from The Sir James Knott Trust after help in securing the funding from grant-making charity the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF).

The First Class Futures project aims to transform an area of land close to the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, into a nursery ground that can be used by the community, especially young and female cricketers.

Viv Stapley, Trust Secretary from The Sir James Knott Trust said that she was pleased to be able to donate money to the Foundation to go towards the cricket club’s First Class Futures initiative.

She said: “We are hugely supportive of the club’s bid to develop a nursery ground, and it is clear that such a facility will significantly improve the confidence and ability of a great many people, given the fact this will be a resource for the local community and County Durham.

“Playing a part in helping Durham’s future cricketers flourish and supporting prosperity in the community is a real privilege."

The club announced its hopes to develop the nursery ground last year and launched a Crowdfunder bid that helped raise more than £50,000.

After the latest grant, the club says it hopes work can start soon, with further corporate funding expected in the near future.

The ambitious plans to redevelop its Chester-le-Street ground include a planning application for the installation of permanent floodlights, which it says will help secure the future of international cricket at the stadium, essential to its long-term sustainability.

“The nursery ground is an important part of a much bigger picture,” said chief executive David Harker.

“We want to create a strong, sustainable club, and to do that we must create an opportunity for young talent and women cricketers to hone their skills.

“We move one big step further forward towards our aim of raising £150,000.”

The club and CDCF will hold a Big Birthday Blast family fun day on Sunday, August 16 to raise money for the nursery ground.

It will see the Lashings cricket team – comprising a number of international cricketers – play a T20 game, as well as interval entertainment from Peppa Pig and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Tickets are available online at DCCC’s website: www.durhamccc.co.uk priced £5 for adults while children go free.