A cricket team in Newport has been handed a funding boost by East Wales region.

Newport Cricket Club has been awarded £1,000 after being selected by East Wales region as its newest Community Champions.

The club, formed in 1834, has its first team playing in the South Wales Premier League, with its other teams playing in the South East Wales Cricket League, Newport & District Midweek League, and Welsh Cricket Cup.

Spytty Park has been the club’s home since 1990 and they have a proud and strong community footprint running four senior teams, numerous junior teams, and a women’s section.

Persimmon’s donation will be used by the club to support the ongoing costs of winter training for the club’s junior members. The donation was made available through Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which sees £48,000 spent on good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales every year.

Other local recipients include Newport Cycle Speedway and the five-star housebuilder is currently developing its Springfield Meadows site at Glan Llyn in the east of Newport, with three, four, and five-bed homes currently available from £264,995.

Commenting on the donation, Chairman, Mike Knight, of Newport Cricket Club said:

“We are very grateful to Persimmon Homes East Wales for their generous support.

“The business has a strong presence in the area and this funding will help us to continue supporting our burgeoning junior section.

“Newport CC plays a vital role in the local community and Persimmon’s kind donation will allow us to support our junior players with good-quality training this winter.”

Victoria Williams, sales director at East Wales region, said:

“Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative is all about supporting the communities and people in which we build, and Newport Cricket Club is another deserving recipient.

“We have a long-standing presence in the area through our development at Springfield Meadows and – not only are we proud to provide homes for first-time buyers and young families locally – we are also determined to give back to key community groups.

“Newport Cricket Club is at the very heart of the City, going above and beyond to support its members and local communities.

“We’re proud to be associated with the club and wish them the best of luck for 2024.”