The Grass Pitch Improvement Fund (GPIF) aims to tackle inequalities by providing improved access to good quality, safe playing facilities for targeted groups. In particular, the fund aims to support the improvement of unsafe or inadequate pitches which need investment to support Women's and Girls' cricket, cricket in diverse communities, disability cricket and cricket in lower socio-economic areas.

Investment will be targeted into three main areas:

• Improving the quality of squares and outfields (for grass pitches rated ‘unsuitable’ or ‘basic’ to improve to at least ‘good’)
• Creating sustainable management of sites (through irrigation and machinery improvements)
• Installing hybrid pitches* to increase playing capacity.

To identify suitable projects, prior to submission of an application, all organisations must arrange for a County Pitch Adviser (CPA) to conduct a site visit to assess the current Performance Quality Standard (PQS) of the grass cricket pitch. The CPA will produce a report using the PitchPower Pro app, which will include a PQS rating for the square and outfield.

NB) Only organisations which receive ratings of ‘unsuitable’ or ‘basic’ will be eligible to apply for GPIF funding, including for hybrid pitches*. Organisations which receive a pitch rating of ‘good’, ‘advanced’ or high’ may apply for an England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Interest Free Loan instead, should they wish to do so.

How to apply for a GPIF

Prior to starting an application, we strongly suggest clubs reach out to CCB Grounds Coordinator Andrew Jackson or CCB Facility Support Officer Dave Atkinson, who will be able to discuss your facility needs and likely eligibility for the scheme. Clubs should then read the Full Guidance Notes before progressing to the application form, which is available on the ECB’s Investment Management System.

To request a Pitch Power visit from one of Cheshire’s CPAs, please use this form. Visits cost £150 plus mileage, although subsidies (of up to 100%) may be available subject to available funding (please enquire via the form).