Aylsham St Giles Cricket Club held an official opening of their new net facilities recently. The club received more than �17,000 in grant funding and as well as the new practice facilities, the money has been used to buy a motorised roller for the cricket square and a waterhog water remover.

Aylsham St Giles Cricket Club held an official opening of their new net facilities recently.

The club received more than �17,000 in grant funding and as well as the new practice facilities, the money has been used to buy a motorised roller for the cricket square and a waterhog water remover.

At the opening ceremony, attended by the Norfolk Cricket Board's cricket development manager Kieron Tuck, club secretary Jeremy Cocks thanked the following sources of grant funding: Sport England (�10,000), Broadland District Council's Community Capital Grant Scheme (�3,712), The Lords Taverners (�2,800), and Norfolk County Council (�1,000). He also thanked Tuck and the ECB for their support, and the Aylsham Recreation Ground committee for their co-operation.

The club aims to use the new facilities for both coaching of juniors and senior practice. The club holds Wednesday evening training sessions through the summer, starting at 6pm for under-17s, and 7pm for adults. Anyone interested should contact Jeremy Cocks (01603 250519) or Philip Clark (01263 733197), or simply turn up on the night.

n The Norfolk Cricket Board's cricket development manager, Kieron Tuck, received special mention in the ECB's staff recognition awards last month.

Tuck, who was appointed to the role in 2008, was one of four cricket development managers from across the country recognised and he received special commendation for making a "massive impact on both cricket delivery and operating processes within the county".

He has also played a key role in attracting �250,000 of investment into the county, which has helped improve club facilities and develop disability and women's and girls' cricket.