Two years ago, at the end of a successful season, Llandaff Cricket Club was looking forward to a bright future as the senior team continued to climb the local league standings, as well as introducing the sport to women, boys and girls .
Then, in October 2022, the club was attacked by heartless vandals who broke into the pavilion at Llandaff Fields, damaged equipment, spray-painted far-right graffiti on the walls and terrorized club members. Many were club members who had spent years developing the club. The mainstay of the local community.
Undeterred and determined to bounce back stronger, the club launched a crowdfunding campaign to replace the equipment and negotiated a 25-year lease with the help of Cardiff Council, which owns Llandaff Playing Fields. , established a stable footing for continued club management. development.
Now, the future is looking bright once again for Llandaff Cricket Club.
A key part of that recovery was the creation of a new practice net facility overlooking the Llandaff Fields ground.
Situated on land that was once a disused tennis court, the facility, developed with support from the England and Wales Cricket Board, Sport Wales and Street Games Wales, will be located near the headquarters of Glamorgan Cricket Club. As good as some artificial surface nets are. The unveiling took place at a ceremony over the weekend, with Cardiff City Council leader Cllr Hugh Thomas, cabinet member for culture, parks, events and venues Cllr Jennifer Burke, area councilor Mark Drakeford and Cardiff West MP Kevin・Mr. Brennan and others attended. .
Speaking at the event, Speaker Thomas praised the efforts of the City Council team who repaired and decorated the pavilion to remove the offending graffiti and put it back into use this season. The team also helped the club sort out a lease of land, including a plot earmarked for a new pavilion.
President Thomas also praised the club's members for their hard work to ensure the club bounced back from the trauma stronger than ever.
He said the council wholeheartedly supported sport across the city, calling it a “silver bullet” that could bring communities and generations together, increase social cohesion and embody the authority's “stronger, fairer, greener” ethos. He said that he welcomes sports.
Testing out the new facilities and joining the club's junior members in training was Glamorgan professional Prem Sisodia. “My father was part of this club back in the day,” he said. “We know the club is a big part of the community, with youth training sessions held every Friday night.
“Having facilities like this is really important in introducing young people to the game and engaging them,” he added.
Llandaff Cricket Club was formed in September 2019 through the merger of Cardiff Gymkhana Cricket Club and Welsh Asians and now serves a diverse range of cricketers, including a wide range of Cardiff's South Asian communities.
The club has grown and diversified rapidly in recent years, going from 13 teams of all genders and age groups in 2021 to 20 teams in 2023. Currently, the number of members is approximately 200. This includes a significant increase in the club's female player base, which the club says is one of its current priorities.
Club president Sohail Rauf said the club's recovery “is proof of what can be achieved when communities come together and work together with local representatives and political leaders.”
“We have a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who has helped make this happen. Our members, volunteers, sponsors, founders, Cardiff Council, and those who have donated and shared on crowdfunding. Special thanks to all those who have helped me and the advice I received from Cricket Wales, who have been incredibly supportive.
“What this ultimately means is that children in central Cardiff will now have greater access to safe outdoor team sports, regardless of their circumstances. That can only be good for our community. .”