Wellesbourne Cricket Club Girls Get £6,000 for Net Lane

Wellesbourne Cricket Club’s girls’ programme is getting £6,000 to build an extra all-weather net lane. The money comes from Persimmon Homes South Midlands, through the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme.

The club says the new lane is needed to meet growing demand. Its girls’ programme launched in 2024 and, in the words of the release, “continues to go from strength to strength” since then.

The cheque was presented at the club by Councillor George Cowcher, Deputy Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council. He was joined by Spencer Walters, Technical Director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, and Ross Owen, the club’s Women’s and Girls Pathway Coach.

What the club says

Ross Owen said the lane would let more players train through the year, not just in the summer:

“We’re incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes for their support. The donation will help us create an additional all-weather net lane, giving more women and girls the opportunity to train, develop and enjoy cricket throughout the year.”

Why the council’s deputy leader was there

Councillor Cowcher tied the grant to new house building in Wellesbourne. Housing growth across the district is a subject we follow in our planning coverage.

“I am delighted that Wellesbourne Cricket Club Girls have been awarded this grant. With an expanding population in the village facilitated by new house building it is also important that we continue to develop local organisations and recreational provision. This grant will help all girls who wish to participate in this highly valued sport.”

What Persimmon says

Vanessa MacNee, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said the company backs projects in the places it builds:

“We are proud to support Wellesbourne Cricket Club and the fantastic opportunities it is creating for girls and young women in the local community. Supporting the communities in which we build is an important part of what we do, and this project will help promote inclusivity, engagement and the physical and mental wellbeing of young people.”

What it means for you

If you have a daughter who plays, or wants to, the girls’ section at Wellesbourne has now been running for about two years and is putting in more training space. An all-weather lane can be used outside the summer season, which is the point Ross Owen makes: more girls training “throughout the year”.

The release does not say when the lane will be installed or what it will cost in total. We will update this story when the club confirms a date.

Sources

• Press release and photograph from Persimmon Homes South Midlands, “Community Donation Supports Local Girls Cricket Club in Wellesbourne”, sent to Stratford Avon News on 11 September 2026, for the £6,000 figure, the Community Champions scheme, the net lane, the 2024 launch, the people at the presentation and all three quotes.