Kidlington’s oldest sports club has introduced technology to training sessions to help young players reach their true potential, thanks to funding from Oxford United.
Founded in 1837, Kidlington Cricket Club has more than 200 members, operates three Saturday teams and eight junior teams, with plans to field its first girls only side this season.
The club is the latest community group to receive a £1,000 donation from Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project. The project forms part of the Club’s new stadium community pledge, which has delivered significant impact across the county by funding facility upgrades, life enhancing activities and transport provisions.
Kidlington CC has invested funds in purchasing a camera to securely capture all youth training sessions so young cricket enthusiasts can monitor progress and improve their personal game.
A new boundary rope has also been purchased to replace the former rope which was in a state of disrepair.
John Moss, Chairman of Kidlington Cricket Club, said: “Our membership base has grown exponentially in the last 15 years, and we’re proud to be Kidlington’s oldest sports club.
“Cricket has embraced technology in that period, to the point where young players want to see themselves on camera so they can take their skills to the next level and replicate their heroes.
“Being able to capture training sessions is a huge positive for the club, and there is a lot of excitement across all age groups for the new season to begin this spring.
“Our thanks go to Oxford United for being so supportive of our club and consistently engaging with our board on a positive level as it progresses plans to transition to its new home in Kidlington.”
Kidlington Cricket Club is the seventh confirmed winner of Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project.
Other recipients include Chalgrove Cavaliers FC, Leys Community Development Initiative, Kidlington Youth FC, Oxfordshire Wheelchair Basketball, Bicester Widows, and Emmaus Oxfordshire.
Adam Benson, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Oxford United, said: “Kidlington Cricket Club is a fantastic success story, and one we’re proud to support.
“Embracing technology can be a challenge for grassroots clubs when operational and financial resources are at a premium. Being able to reflect on training sessions and provide constructive feedback via video will be an invaluable asset to help young players develop. We wish the club every success this season.”
Ten Oxfordshire-based not-for-profit organisations that support the provision of sport and physical activity, as well as health and wellbeing programmes, were selected by a judging panel to each receive a £1,000 grant from the Club. The successful applicants demonstrated how the funding would help them make improvements and deliver more impact in our communities.
Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project also includes a variety of other initiatives including work experience, apprenticeship and employment opportunities for students and young professionals plus mental health support programmes, mentoring and education.
It consists of five core elements which prioritise opportunity, accessibility, people’s mental wellbeing, development, and local legacy and is part of the Club’s plans to build a 16,000 capacity all-electric stadium north of Oxford, featuring a 180-bedroom hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space and a community plaza.
