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Home > Finance > Cricket-English cricket gets 45 million pounds grassroots boost as Hundred investment pays dividends

Cricket-English cricket gets 45 million pounds grassroots boost as Hundred investment pays dividends

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 18, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: February 18, 2026

Tags:fund projects financial community

Quick Summary

English cricket receives a £45M boost for grassroots facilities, focusing on inclusivity and community support from The Hundred investment.

English Cricket Receives £45 Million Boost for Grassroots Development

Investment in Grassroots Cricket Facilities

Feb 18 (Reuters) - English cricket is set to receive a 45 million pounds ($61.05 million) injection into grassroots facilities as proceeds from The Hundred investment trickle down to community level, England's cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday.

Focus on Inclusivity and Community Support

The ECB announced the fund will target projects benefiting women and girls, disabled participants, lower socio-economic groups and ethnically diverse communities as part of making cricket inclusive.

Funding and Project Goals

The ECB also said it hopes the funding could leverage projects worth 150 million pounds over the next decade.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for grassroots cricket thanks to the investment we've received into The Hundred," ECB CEO Richard Gould said in a statement.

"With more children playing, the rapid growth of women's and girls' cricket, and our desire to become the most inclusive team sport, new and improved facilities are vital to open up access to cricket for communities across England and Wales.

"This additional investment into facilities will be a real game-changer and I hope other local and national partners will come on board to support these community projects so that we can get much more bang for our collective buck."

The ECB is simultaneously doubling smaller grants for facilities at individual clubs to five million pounds this year, focusing on women's and girls' cricket development.

They are also increasing interest-free loans that are available to clubs from 50,000 pounds to 75,000 pounds.

The ECB said around 300 projects are expected to be delivered in 2026 alone, supporting the drive toward having at least 6,000 girls' teams by 2028.

($1 = 0.7371 pounds)

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Key Takeaways

•English cricket receives £45 million for grassroots facilities.
•Funding focuses on inclusivity for diverse communities.
•ECB aims to leverage £150 million in projects over a decade.
•Doubling grants for women's and girls' cricket development.
•300 projects expected by 2026 to support 6,000 girls' teams by 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cricket-English cricket gets 45 million pounds grassroots boost as Hundred investment pays dividends

1What is grassroots cricket?

Grassroots cricket refers to the foundation level of the sport, focusing on community participation, development programs, and facilities to encourage young players, particularly from diverse backgrounds.

2What is the ECB?

The ECB, or England and Wales Cricket Board, is the governing body for cricket in England and Wales, responsible for promoting and developing the game at all levels.

3What are interest-free loans?

Interest-free loans are loans that do not require the borrower to pay interest on the amount borrowed, making them more affordable for clubs and organizations.

4What is the significance of funding in sports development?

Funding in sports development is crucial as it provides the necessary resources for facilities, programs, and initiatives that promote participation and growth in the sport.

Investment in Grassroots Cricket Facilities

Focus on Inclusivity and Community Support

The ECB announced the fund will target projects benefiting women and girls, disabled participants, lower socio-economic groups and ethnically diverse communities as part of making cricket inclusive.

Funding and Project Goals

The ECB also said it hopes the funding could leverage projects worth 150 million pounds over the next decade.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for grassroots cricket thanks to the investment we've received into The Hundred," ECB CEO Richard Gould said in a statement.

The ECB is simultaneously doubling smaller grants for facilities at individual clubs to five million pounds this year, focusing on women's and girls' cricket development.

They are also increasing interest-free loans that are available to clubs from 50,000 pounds to 75,000 pounds.

The ECB said around 300 projects are expected to be delivered in 2026 alone, supporting the drive toward having at least 6,000 girls' teams by 2028.

($1 = 0.7371 pounds)

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Key Takeaways

•English cricket receives £45 million for grassroots facilities.

•Funding focuses on inclusivity for diverse communities.

•ECB aims to leverage £150 million in projects over a decade.

•Doubling grants for women's and girls' cricket development.

•300 projects expected by 2026 to support 6,000 girls' teams by 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is grassroots cricket?

2What is the ECB?

The ECB, or England and Wales Cricket Board, is the governing body for cricket in England and Wales, responsible for promoting and developing the game at all levels.

3What are interest-free loans?

Interest-free loans are loans that do not require the borrower to pay interest on the amount borrowed, making them more affordable for clubs and organizations.

4What is the significance of funding in sports development?

Funding in sports development is crucial as it provides the necessary resources for facilities, programs, and initiatives that promote participation and growth in the sport.