A support network has been set up to improve the long-term growth and sustainability of the game in Luton by improving the pitches/facilities that the game is played on.
For this to happen, everybody involved including clubs, leagues, individuals, National Governing Bodies and Luton Borough Council, will work together on this 1-3-year project to get the cricket facilities improved and added to.
Earlier in the year, all grounds/park venues in Luton were visited and assessed by Institute of Groundsmanship Regional Pitch Advisor Phil Jeggo both for grass and non-turf pitches and a plan is being put into place to address the current issues with the playing surfaces to improve these at all levels.
Phil delivered his grounds overview at the recent Luton Facilities Support Network Meeting. Options were discussed on moving forward including promoting the role of the cricket groundsman in Luton, providing training, help and support when it comes to cricket pitch maintenance and improvement. Other aspects will also need to be looked at, for example access to machinery and equipment.
In the longer term, the aim is to move towards establishing a Grounds Trust in Luton with Core City funding for grounds training.