Togetherness is the key in Wiltshire

A project that has brought several traditional English sports together is proving a big hit in Wiltshire.

The cricket, rugby tennis and hockey clubs in Devizes wanted to develop a resource for all ages in one location that would benefit their respective sports as well as other community groups in the rural area.

Sport England helped them achieve this in 2001 when a grant of £600,000 from Lottery funds was made towards replacing the existing run-down rugby and cricket pavilion with a new clubhouse, new cricket and rugby pitches and the purchase of the land.

Now they all have a common area that greatly benefits all their respective sports.

The new clubhouse is a great environment for participants and spectators of all the sports with improved physical access for disabled people and better changing facilities.

Devizes Sports Club factfile

• New teams have been formed in hockey, cricket and rugby mini and junior sections
• The number of coaches has grown from 6 to 38
• Adult weekly coaching hours have increased from 10 to 17
• Under 18’s weekly coaching hours have risen from 9 to 31
• There has been a 10% increase in tennis club membership over 3 years
• Since 2001 there has been a 53% increase in the number of club members from 460 to 708, helping Sport England reach its target of increasing participation by 1% a year up to 2020