THE Surrey Cricket Foundation, the charitable arm of Surrey County Cricket Club, exists to help clubs in the area.

The Foundation is keen to get that message across, says Simon Hards, who is responsible for cricket development in Waverley.

“Our aim is to support the recreational game across the county,” he told the Herald. “We offer an affiliation programme, as well as a range of training programmes and support networks to help clubs develop effectively.”

The Foundation has assisted some local clubs, including Rowledge and Farnham, but struggles to make contact with clubs that are not already in the system. “It’s frustrating when clubs make contact, having already started a project without taking advice,” said Simon?Hards. “That is when they can run into difficulties.”

The SCF was formerly the Surrey Cricket Board and marked its new identity last year by handing out over £100,000 in small grants to clubs, schools and communities across the county and South London.

Of 58 applications received, 42 were successful. The overall cost of the projects was £144,450, meaning that nearly 70 per cent of the cost was covered by the SCF.

The Foundation measures its success by the increase in the number of people playing cricket, although another aim is to identify young talent for Surrey CCC.

The Chance to Shine scheme is designed to help schools, while the SCF can support leagues and clubs in numerous ways, such as player retention, coaching, groundsmanship and training for umpires.

For more information about the work of the Surrey Cricket Foundation and what it can offer, contact Simon Hards on 0207 8205675 (mobile 07824 866804).