Projects

Blackley Cricket Club

Completed: 2022
Location: Manchester
Region: North West
Other local partners: Cheshire Cricket Board, Dulux, ECB, GMCA, Lancashire Cricket Foundation

About the project

The words of the club Chairman, Tony Ganner, brilliantly tells the story of the impact of this VIY project on the club (with some of our photos to illustrate!)

“5 years ago, the ground and clubhouse had fallen into serious disrepair to a point where cricket could no longer be played at the ground. Membership had fallen to the extent that the club was reduced to one senior men’s team playing at a rented ground elsewhere in the city. A new committee was formed, and new lease was agreed with Manchester City Council, extensive fundraising began to address the above issues with the assistance and support of local Councillors, Manchester Cricket Development Group and Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

Extensive repairs and refurbishment to both the ground and the clubhouse which has included a new roof have taken place over the past four years. Great efforts have been made to increase membership and participation in cricket to the extent that the club now has two senior teams, a thriving women’s and girl’s section which fields a team in a Women’s Soft Ball League. The Club also now operates an All Stars Cricket Programme for 5 to 8 year old boys and girls and a Dynamos Cricket Programme for 8 to 11 year olds. The clubhouse is also now used by a local scout group.

Earlier this year the club was put in touch with VIY via Lancashire Cricket Foundation who have been instrumental in helping the club with its current development.”

5 young people from Manchester Youth Zone and the local area volunteered on a tough job removing old flaking paintwork and repairing damaged concrete panels, as well as the complete external painting of the buildings, plus two additional shipping containers which are currently used as a changing room and a ground equipment store. Five P&D (hard-earned!)and H&S Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were awarded through this project.

“The transformation of the exterior of building is incredible. The work has been carried out to a very high standard and the project has been completed bang on schedule. The club are delighted with the project outcome and are extremely grateful to the mentors and the young people who have carried out the work. It has been a truly worthwhile project that is of great benefit to both the club and the wider community.”

Tony Ganner

Club Chairman, Blackley Cricket Club

I've really enjoyed my time at VIY, the project has come out really well and looks so much different to how it started. I'm really looking forward to the next project and gaining my 3rd qualification with VIY in Carpentry. Construction is something I want to go into now after trying warehouse work and realising it wasn't for me Kyle, young volunteer with the Hatch employability programme