Young cricketers have been bowled over but definitely not caught out by a financial donation from a housing association.

Bedale Cricket Club are one of the latest organisations to benefit from Broadacres’ Community Development Fund.

They received £500 to buy a bowling machine for use by the club’s junior and women’s section.

The bowling machine, which also includes balls and a battery so it can be used without mains power, is intended for batting and fielding drills.

Bedale Cricket Club Secretary and Junior Coach Paul Croft said: “Luckily, we were able to use the bowling machine before the Covid-19 lockdown resulted in recreational cricket being suspended and it was well received by the juniors and women players.

“It fires out tennis balls which are perfect for practising batting technique and catching and is a great addition to the coaching equipment we have at the club.”

With restrictions now being lifted, Paul is hoping the bowling machine will be put back to good use for the rest of the summer.

He added: “We’re hoping to be able to begin playing cricket again soon, but the bowling machine is going to prove invaluable for many years to come.

“We have a thriving and growing youth and women’s section and we estimate over 100 players will benefit from the machine.

“There’s no way we would have been able to afford the machine without this grant, so we are very grateful for Broadacres’ support.”

Rosemary Colebrook is one of the Broadacres’ residents who serve on the Community Development Fund Panel which determine the award.

She said: “It’s clear that the bowling machine purchased by the club is going to have a significant positive impact on junior and women’s cricket in Bedale.

“It’s typical of the kind of projects the Community Development Fund can support, and we were particularly pleased to have been able to make this award.”

Applications for the 2020/21 Community Development are being accepted. For more information on the Fund and how to apply visit www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund/

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