I guess there is a massive difference between hiring a pitch or if your club has there own ground. Based on your figures that’s £100 income per game, match ball £10-£15 an which leaves £85odd for a pitch hire. Now we have only had to hire a pitch twice at my club as our venue was being used by the County age groups one weekend and that was £200 for a single game. I’m not an expert but I can’t imagine getting many pitches for £80 but clearly you can.
However £100 income per game for us owning our own ground just wouldn’t be sustainable. Annual costs of the wicket and grounds keeping is approx £4K per year excluding any maintenance on the machinery for the wickets or the gang mower for the outfield.
Insurance is approx £300 per year based on our last financial report from
Our AGM which was 2 weeks ago.
Cricket is just not a very cheap sport and as has been said the “community spirit” that was given to cricket clubs in years gone by has long gone from a few clubs I know that relied on this. Other sports that make more income now have the priority on council or sports club owned grounds.
This is accurate, it very much depends on whether you own your ground, in London apart from the rich clubs this type of ownership is pretty rare.you have to rent from the Council.
'Community spirit' indeed gave many clubs I know a leg up-linking to local schools and reflecting the make up of the local area.
Councils squeezed for money will look at any option to raise funds, that means the old way Chris refers to is outdated,the rateable value of pitch/facilities hire will include as an example-hiring out for a wedding, lots of people and an expensive event.
The rateable value of the facility therefore has changed whether cricket is played on it or not.
Anyway this thread is about teas and not to get too far from the subject let's hope for some clubs this cost is now taken out completely, let's hope that does one or both or the following:
Reduces overall match fees to make the game more affordable.
Enables clubs to put some money funds back into the club-or perhaps a combination of the two.
Ameteur cricket is in a dire situation, lets hope despite teas going there is a positive going forward...