HATHERLEIGH Cricket Club's season got off to a fantastic start when support from Richard Tidball Insurance Services Ltd helped to secure £1,000 from Aviva Insurance for improvements to the practise facilities at the ground.

Gareth Tidball, a spokesman for the club, said: 'As part of their long-term goal to encourage more people in the community to get involved with cricket at the club HCC are planning to install a new all-weather net area at their ground.

'Given the recent unpredictable summer weather, the club feels that providing a practise facility capable of dealing with wetter weather is a priority to ensure all players, including the strong colts and ladies sections, can train regularly and effectively.'

RTIS applied to Aviva's Broker Community Fund for help in raising the large sum of money required to build the nets and were delighted to be awarded the third prize of £1,000 towards this project.

Club representatives attended the awards ceremony in Leeds where they were presented with a cheque from British javelin thrower and twice Olympic silver medallist Steve Backley.

Further funding opportunities are being sought to enable the club to complete this project and support, in any form, would be gratefully appreciated.