Cricket match celebrates new Shinfield sports facility

A cricket match at the new Manor Ground sports facility in Shinfield was held on Sunday 21 May to celebrate the grounds’ opening.

Shinfield Cricket Club played a friendly match against the University of Reading cricket team, with the Shinfield team claiming victory.

Hundreds of people turned out to watch the match and enjoyed an afternoon of drinks, ice creams and a barbeque. The first ball of the day was delivered by the University’s Director of Finance, and cricket enthusiast, Andrew Grice.

The new sports facility, which will become the new home for Shinfield Cricket Club, has been developed by the University of Reading and Shinfield Parish Council. In addition to the dedicated cricket pitch, there is a pavilion which provides changing rooms, a meeting space and a kitchen.

Shinfield Cricket Club dates back to 1890 and has grown significantly in the last eight years with more women and children getting interested in the sport. Now, with more than 200 adult and junior members, the club needed a bigger and better ground to call home.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “The University of Reading is pleased to present this new cricket and sports facility to the local and surrounding residents of Shinfield, having worked in partnership with Shinfield Parish Council.

“We hope this will offer much needed space to local sports clubs and community groups to gather together for the events and activities that provide the important social glue for communities.”

Cllr Ian Clarke, Chair of Shinfield Parish Council’s Recreation & Amenities Committee, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate the opening of the new Manor Ground sports pitch and pavilion.

“Shinfield Parish Council is working hard to give local people the sports facilities they want and deserve after many years of housing development in the area, and this is just the first of many projects we are working on. I would like to thank the University of Reading for helping us deliver this fantastic new sports facility which our local community will enjoy for many years to come.”

Shashank Garg, Shinfield Cricket Club secretary, said: “The new facilities and infrastructure at the new ground will provide opportunities for communities and cricketers to elevate their games and achieve higher goals, such as playing for home counties or bigger counties.

“Last year, almost ten kids who play for us were selected for various Berkshire county development programs, and this number is likely to increase after the new ground becomes an integral part of the club.”

Other local sports clubs and community groups will have the opportunity to hire the facilities.

Photo credit: Shinfield Cricket Club