Cricket at Manadon
Following the release of ECB Step 4 Return to Play Guidelines, Sunday, August 2 will see the first of this year’s recreational cricket matches taking place at Manadon Sports Hub.
The first match is a significant landmark for Plymouth and the cricket community, with a newly installed cricket wicket at Manadon enabling local side Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough Cricket Club (PCSR) to call it home.
Mark Lovell, CEO of Argyle Community Trust, explained: “Manadon Sports and Community Hub has been operating for the past 12 months, and we have been waiting patiently to bring cricket onto the site.
“Working in partnership with Plymouth City Council we are delighted to have developed a first-class community wicket, enabling usage on the site and bringing more cricket opportunities back within the city.”
Councillor Peter Smith, deputy leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “It might have taken a little longer than planned to see some action on the wicket this year but this is a fantastic milestone for everyone involved. It’s great to finally welcome the Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough Cricket Club to Manadon and back home to Plymouth. We look forward to officially launching the wicket – and a great community cricket programme – at the start of the 2021 season.”
With Cricket leading the way after the government authorised a return to play, the opportunity was seized upon quickly and excitement grows in anticipation for Sunday. Nick Read, club captain of PCSR, cannot wait to get started.
“I am incredibly excited about the chance for PCSR to begin a new chapter in the club’s history with the first game of cricket at Manadon Sports Hub. The facilities are superb and would be the envy of any club.
“I would like to take this chance to thank the Trust for providing us with this opportunity and look forward to a long successful partnership. We are a friendly and welcoming club enabling locals to watch and participate in cricket for all ages.”
Although Covid-19 delayed an official start date, the Trust is pleased to see the return of recreational sports to help improve health and wellbeing and community engagement.
The site at Manadon has undergone significant transformation over the past 18 months, and is set to become one of the best outdoor sports venues in Devon. The Sports Hub team will utilise this period to ensure that season 21/22 for cricket really flourishes at the site.
Alex Jopling, club and programmes manager at Devon Cricket, said: “It will be fantastic to see cricket get properly underway at Manadon next weekend. Hopefully for PCSR it will be worth the wait and they can start to settle into their new home. The facility will have a huge impact on cricket in the city and we are looking forward to working further with the Plymouth Argyle Community Trust and local partners to make Manadon a hub for cricket in Plymouth’.
The match will commence following ECB Guidelines that were published on July 9, with 11 players on each side, and a group size limited to a maximum of 30 participants, coaches and officials. Play will start at midday.
Argyle Community Trust’s Covid-19 Risk Assessments and operating procedures available to view here.
The cricket facilities at Manadon Sports Hub are also available for hire - including the site’s ATP and cricket nets. For further information, please contact Lewis Coombes (Facilities Manager) on 01752 562561 extension 5 or via email manadon@pafc.co.uk.