The Sussex Cricket Foundation has released its 2023 Impact Report, which acknowledges several accomplishments throughout the county. These include significant investment in Crawley through the Urban Cricket Plan, the launch of the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women's Cricket League, another record attendance for DIScoverABILITY Day, Alfie Pyle's England debut (a product of the county's disability cricket pathway), and further growth for recreational cricket across all levels of the game.
The Foundation has had another outstanding year, and the latest Impact Report shows that cricket is continuing to grow rapidly across Sussex thanks to the passionate work of the Foundation team.
A major success story of 2023 was the investment made into cricket in Crawley through the Foundation's ambitious Urban Cricket Plan.
Thanks to generous support from the Cama Cricket Charitable Trust, Roffey Homes, and funds ringfenced from the Sussex Cricket Foundation, over £200,000 will have been invested in indoor and outdoor facilities, equipment, and programmes by the end of 2024.
In addition to installing seven new non-turf pitches, a state-of-the-art three-lane indoor net facility was opened at the Apple Tree Centre in the heart of the Crawley community.
Furthermore, 2023 marked the launch of the first Women's Club Premier League in Sussex, along with a second division one step below.
The Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League has increased participation in women's cricket and provides a pathway from recreational amateur cricket to regional and professional games.
The Sussex Cricket Foundation places great importance on the growth and development of women's and girls' cricket across the county.
In 2023, DIScoverABILITY Day broke participation records with 650 attendees at the annual disability cricket showcase.
32 organisations collaborated, comprising 150 volunteers, to provide members of the local community with an opportunity to play games on the pitch at The 1st Central County Ground.
In 2023, Alfie Pyle made his debut for the England Learning Disability team, becoming the first participant of the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme, held in Crawley, to progress from a hub setting, through the county system, and onto representing England - a dream come true for every young cricketer.