Fairburn Cricket Club (FCC) are strictly an amateur cricket club, playing in the Pontefract and District Cricket League. We were formed in 1921, and after a few years of playing friendly cricket, we joined the West Riding Cricket League in 1927 which in 2001 became the Leeds West Riding Cricket League. Fairburn played in this league until deciding to move into the Pontefract and District Cricket League for the 2008 season.

Fairburn Cricket Club exists to provide the facilities and organisation to allow all members of the village and the surrounding area the chance to enjoy village cricket. Club membership is open to all. We seek to attract players of all ages and abilities in order to:

-share enjoyment of village cricket
-encourage and nurture new talent; and
-engender a sense of team spirit and community

Our Mission Statement
“We provide a friendly atmosphere in which everyone is welcome to play cricket in the true spirit of the game. We intend to continually improve facilities and opportunities for all so that we improve standards of cricket at Fairburn.”

This Development Plan is a formal statement of the aspirations of the club and will provide a framework for club activities over the next 5 years. The plan has been prepared from a consideration of the following areas:

Club structure
Junior section
Community Development
Teaching & Coaching
Membership
Facilities
Equipment
Summary

1. Club Structure
The club is controlled by a well organised committee. Our committee consists of a President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Groundsman and Child Welfare Officer. Our constitution is designed on the standard template from the England and Wales Cricket Board and clearly states that our objective is to ensure the community of Fairburn has access to participate and enjoy the game of cricket.

2. Junior Section
The club has no official junior section.
We have 7 junior members ranging in age from 8 to 15 years of age. These juniors are all boys. The older juniors have played in senior side matches and practice with seniors at net practice.

Development
Fully operational junior section comprising both boys and girls;
Link with Sherburn High School in order to provide additional opportunity for juniors to participate in organised cricket activities and to safeguard the future of the club;
Link with Fairburn Youth Club to engage older juniors of the village and to safeguard the future of the club.
Ensure we have enough qualified coaches for the number of juniors at the club.
Proposed timescale for implementation
2007: appoint a junior section co-ordinator to liaise with the school and youth club;
2008: purchase junior equipment including helmets
2008: continue to provide junior practice and coaching to existing junior members
2008/9: evolve our own junior coaching sessions;
2009: 1-2 adults to obtain basic level coaching qualifications to compliment the coaches we presently have;
2009: arrange friendly junior matches with neighbouring clubs
2010: application to join a junior league within the district

3. Community Development
Enabling cricket at various levels to be available to all people in Fairburn and the surrounding areas. Working in partnership with Fairburn Parish Council, Fairburn Football Club, other sporting bodies and local schools particularly Sherburn High School to provide facilities to meet the needs of the village.

Development
Continue with strong links in the community
Establish and sustain a strong link with Sherburn High School and other local schools
Appoint two members of the club to become full time members of the Welfare Committee.

Proposed timescale for implementation
2007: Appoint two members of the club to become members of Fairburn Welfare Committee
2008: Establish and consolidate a link with Sherburn High School

4. Coaching
We presently have 3 ECB qualified cricket coaches. One coach a Level 2 ECB qualified cricket coach and two Level 1 qualified coaches.

These coaches have involvement and networking within the chance to shine and Michael Vaughan Cricket Coaching schemes.

5. Membership
We currently have 34 senior playing members at the club and 10 social members.

Development
Increase in number of senior players by 25%
Increase in number of social members
Begin the introduction of junior members to the club with the hope of forming junior section.

Timescale for implementation
2007/8: Increase the number of senior players
2008: Advertising and promotion of junior cricket at Fairburn
2009: 20 junior members at the club
2010: 2 junior teams with 40 junior members

6. Facilities
Fairburn Cricket Club shares facilities at the recreational field in Fairburn with Fairburn Football Club. The owners of the site are the Parish Council and the two clubs pay a nominal rent. Both clubs have a long term lease with the Parish Council.

Built in the 1960’s the pavilion at Fairburn Cricket Club provides a focal point not
only for the club but also for the village itself. However it is beginning to show signs
of old age. Steps have already being investigated into replacing the structure to provide a more flexible modern building that will provide high quality changing facilities for as well as including access for the disabled while still maintaining the overall visual impact. We need to further develop what we have already achieved. Planning permission has already been successful and is valid for a period of 3 years. We have obtained estimates for the work to be completed. See below for a guide to figures for the development.

Estimate for work £45,000
Money already obtained £25,000
Money to raise £20,000

Development
Continue working in partnership with the parish council and the football club.
Establish a committee to oversee fund raising for the development of the pavilion
Investigate possible sources of funding
Applications to be made by the end of December 2007.
Other avenues of fundraising to be investigated at club level.
Funding or grant to be secured
Re-development of the existing pavillion to be completed.
Through the hard work and dedication of our grounds man and several other members, the playing surface has been transformed in the last decade. Fairburn now has one of the
truest, firmest squares in the area. The quality of the playing area has been acknowledged by the fact that in recent years we are regularly asked to host Finals of competitions. In recent years more than £10,000 has been spent on improvements and repairs to pitchside facilities, through the subscription fees and fundraising activities of its members.

7. Equipment
With the increased usage has also come the growing problem of maintaining
our grounds equipment. The ground preparation is done with very old, donated equipment such as rollers and lawnmowers. A priority has to be to invest in more modern and reliable equipment

Development
Improving the equipment and facilities to ensure our current playing facilities do not deteriorate under the heavy usage.
• Purchase more modern/reliable mowers
• Overhaul or replace our roller
• Pitch covers

Proposed timescale for implementation
2007: Applications for funding for new equipment
2008: Obtain 3 separate estimates from suppliers for the equipment
2008: Once money is raised, look into and buy the equipment required.
2008/9: Fundraising for pitch covers
2009: Purchase pitch covers

8. Summary
This Development Plan states the aims of Fairburn Cricket Club over the next five years. It covers:
• The foundation work already put in place by the club
• The wish to continue a high level of senior cricket in the club
• The development of junior cricket to the benefit of the club and the local community
• Investment by the club in equipment, coaching and facilities
• Working in partnership when this is to the benefit of the club and community
• A commitment to sound planning and management of each element of the plan

The club is determined to achieve the aims of the plan and will review progress on a regular basis. These reviews will take into account the views of people independent of the club such as the Cricket Development Officer.

The club has achieved a great deal since it began to plan towards its future. This planning has already paid dividends but the club now wants to be able to develop into a successful cricket club