Banks fund upgrades historic cricket club

Banks Community fund has granted a historic Borders Cricket Club £6,000

Hawick and Wilton Cricket Club, which was established in 1849, was successful in its application for funding, which will go towards modernising male and female changing and shower facilities, with a specific focus on encouraging more girls and ladies to participate in local sport.

The upgrades will coincide with an overarching redevelopment, which has seen around £30,000 spent on new purpose-built all-weather wickets.

Officials at the club are delighted with the grant, which will help the club to modernise whilst continuing to offer high level coaching for various sports.

Craig Macdougall, project development manager at Hawick and Wilton Cricket Club said: “The club is a real community hub and also provides sporting facilities and opportunity for all schools in the Hawick catchment area.

“It is therefore vital that we are able to upgrade the changing and shower facilities so that they are in line with the high standards expected of the club – and still be able to direct funding towards training and coaching for our team of volunteers.

“We would also like to encourage more local girls and ladies to play cricket and use the club and the attraction of modern and well equipped changing facilities will hopefully help us to achieve this.”

Banks Community Fund is a charitable fund set up by the Banks Group, the Hamilton-based property and renewable energy business and has been used for everything from church hall repairs to community garden schemes while charities, youth groups and voluntary organisations have also benefited.

Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at Banks Group, said: “Hawick and Wilton Cricket Club is clearly a key social hub for its members and the wider community.

“We are delighted to support the club through the Banks Community Fund as it will help to secure the clubs’ future and focus funds on other aspects, such as putting coaches through training courses and ensuring exceptionally high standards of sporting tuition.