Accrington Cricket & Tennis Club | Case Study

Client case study · Funding, facilities & participation

Accrington Cricket & Tennis Club

Strengthening facilities, improving ongoing maintenance and creating new participation opportunities through practical project development and funding support.

Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club logo
External funding secured£45,030
Pitch improvement programme6 years
Later pitch ratingGood
The challenge

Strengthening facilities and creating new opportunities through sport

Accrington Cricket & Tennis Club wanted to develop its facilities, improve its ongoing maintenance and grow opportunities for participation.

Open Goal Consulting helped strengthen the evidence behind the club’s maintenance work, develop clearer fundable projects and bring the funding route together.

The work combined facility development with participation growth, helping the club turn existing ambitions into structured projects that could attract investment and create a longer-term impact.

Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club cricket ground
How Open Goal Consulting helped

Building stronger evidence, fundable projects and a clearer route to delivery

Opportunity spottingIdentified how existing maintenance, facilities and participation plans could become stronger fundable projects.
Evidence buildingHelped improve the evidence behind the club’s maintenance work and strengthen the case for investment.
Funding & deliveryDeveloped funding routes for facility improvements and a new women and girls cricket offer.
Ongoing adviceContinues to support the club with funding opportunities, project development and next steps.
The result

£45,030 secured across facility improvements and new participation activity

£33,280

Six-year grass pitch improvement programme

Funding secured to strengthen the club’s maintenance programme and support the long-term quality of its playing surfaces.

£11,750

Women & girls cricket activity

Funding secured to create new opportunities for women and girls to take part in cricket and expand the club’s participation offer.

The outcome

Investment in facilities alongside new participation opportunities

Measurable progressGoodquality rating, with all four football pitches reaching Good in later independent assessment

The club has secured investment into its facilities while also creating new opportunities for women and girls to take part in cricket.

The work helped turn existing ambitions into structured, fundable projects with ongoing support beyond the initial awards.

This case study shows how practical consultancy can strengthen evidence, shape projects and help organisations navigate funding opportunities rather than simply reacting to individual grant schemes.

Stronger facilitiesLong-term investment supports better maintenance and improved playing surfaces.
New participationA funded women and girls cricket offer creates additional opportunities to take part.
Ongoing developmentContinued advice supports future funding opportunities and the next stage of the club’s plans.

“Martin has helped us understand how our existing work and ambitions could be developed into stronger funding opportunities. From facilities and maintenance through to new women and girls cricket activity, Open Goal Consulting has supported us in shaping projects, securing investment and continuing to plan for the future.”

Jonathan Hayhurst | Chairman, Accrington Cricket & Tennis Club

Want to turn existing plans into stronger fundable projects?

Open Goal Consulting can help strengthen the evidence, shape the project, identify the right funding route and support delivery beyond the initial award.

Planning a project to improve participation or your club’s facilities? Check how well prepared your organisation is to seek funding.

Discuss your project →Take the free funding readiness assessment →